Senate extends 2025 budget implementation to September 30, 2026
The Senate on Thursday approved a three-month extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, shifting the deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026.
The extension is aimed at preventing the abandonment of ongoing projects and ensuring the full utilisation of funds already released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The decision followed a motion moved by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Tahir Monguno, and was adopted after lawmakers suspended Order 1(b) of the Senate Standing Rules to allow for its immediate consideration.
Leading the debate, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said the extension became necessary due to delays in project execution, procurement processes and other administrative bottlenecks that had slowed budget implementation despite substantial releases to government agencies.
“The 2025 Appropriation Act was enacted to provide funding for the implementation of government programmes, projects and activities aimed at promoting economic growth, infrastructure development, national security and the welfare of Nigerians,” Bamidele said.
“Despite substantial releases made by the Federal Government to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the execution of approved projects and programmes, a significant proportion of the first release remains unutilised due to procurement timelines, project implementation challenges and other administrative processes.”
He noted that several strategic capital projects across critical sectors are already at advanced stages of completion but require additional time for execution, certification and payment.
“A number of strategic capital projects across critical sectors of the economy are at advanced stages of completion and require additional time for execution, certification and payment,” he said.
Bamidele warned that failure to grant the extension could lead to the abandonment of key projects, waste public resources already committed to them and disrupt ongoing government interventions.
“Failure to extend the implementation period may result in the abandonment of critical projects, wastage of already committed public resources and disruption of ongoing government interventions,” he added.
Following deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, which received overwhelming support from lawmakers.
The Senate subsequently resolved to amend the 2025 Appropriation Act to extend the implementation period for the capital component of the budget by an additional 90 days.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate argued that the extension would improve budget performance, reduce waste and ensure the completion of critical infrastructure and development projects nationwide.
The Senate emphasised that the extension applies strictly to the capital component of the 2025 budget and is intended to enhance project delivery, improve value for money and strengthen fiscal discipline in public spending.
The resolution will be transmitted to the House of Representatives for concurrence before it takes effect.
With the approval, MDAs now have until September 30, 2026, to complete the execution, certification and payment processes for projects captured under the 2025 Appropriation Act.