Senate extends 2025 budget implementation to December 31

The Senate on Tuesday approved another extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, moving the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026.

The extension followed the passage of a bill sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), after clause-by-clause consideration by the lawmakers.

The bill seeks to amend the 2025 Appropriation Act and further extend the implementation period of its capital component to enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies to complete ongoing projects and utilise appropriated funds.

Moving the bill, Bamidele said the amendment was necessary because the implementation of capital projects under the 2025 Appropriation Act had not reached optimal levels despite the release of funds to MDAs.

In his presentation, Bamidele said he was forwarding “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriations (Repeal & Enactment) Act 2025 to Extend the Implementation of the Capital Aspect of the Appropriations (Repeal & Enactment) Act 2025 from 30th September, 2026 to 31st December, 2026 and for other Related Matters, 2026 (SB. 1067).

A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriations (Repeal & Enactment) Act 2025 to Extend the Implementation of the Capital Aspect of the Appropriations (Repeal & Enactment) Act 2025 from 30th September, 2026 to 31st December, 2026 (SB. 1067).”

The latest decision marks another extension of the lifespan of the 2025 capital budget

The National Assembly had previously extended the implementation period from March 31 to June 30, 2026, and subsequently to September 30, 2026, to allow the government to complete ongoing capital projects and meet outstanding obligations.

The latest extension means that funds appropriated under the capital component of the 2025 budget will remain available for implementation until December 31, 2026, subject to the President’s assent.

The extension also comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s earlier pledge to end the practice of overlapping budgets.

While presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill in December 2025, President Bola Tinubu said the government would move away from multiple overlapping budget cycles and operate within a single revenue cycle.

However, the government had previously justified extensions of the 2025 budget on the need to complete ongoing projects and ensure effective utilisation of appropriated funds.

In April, the Presidency said an earlier extension was intended to enable MDAs to consolidate ongoing works, improve project completion rates and maximise value for public expenditure.

The Senate’s approval of the latest extension came on the first day of its resumed plenary after an extended legislative recess

The National Assembly had shifted its resumption from September 15 to September 29 to allow for the completion of rehabilitation works in the legislative chambers.

With the passage of the bill, the 2025 capital budget will now remain open for implementation for an additional three months beyond the September 30 deadline.