Reps extend 2025 capital budget implementation timeline

The House of Representatives has extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from 30 September to 31 December 2026.

The House approved the extension on Tuesday during plenary after considering a bill sponsored by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere.

The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act 2025, to Extend the Implementation of the Capital Aspect of the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025 from 30th September 2026 to 31 December 2026,” passed first and second readings before the House proceeded to consider its provisions.

Mr Ihonvbere said the capital component of the 2025 budget had not been fully implemented due to “economic difficulties.”

Following the presentation, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply, where the bill was considered clause by clause.

The committee subsequently reported back to the plenary, after which the bill was read for the third time and passed.

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the sitting, announced the passage after lawmakers gave overwhelming support through a voice vote.

Fourth extension

This is the fourth extension the National Assembly has granted for the capital component of the 2025 budget.

The National Assembly first extended the deadline in December 2025 to give ministries, departments and agencies additional time to complete ongoing projects.

After that extension expired, lawmakers approved another extension in March 2026, moving the deadline to 30 June.

In June, the House approved a further three-month extension, shifting the deadline from 30 June to 30 September 2026.

The latest extension gives the federal government another three months to continue funding and implementing capital projects captured in the 2025 budget.

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The repeated extensions come against the backdrop of challenges in implementing capital expenditure within the original budget cycle.

House adjourns plenary

After concluding consideration of the bill, the House, which resumed plenary today after two months, adjourned plenary until 13 October.

The lower chamber embarked on recess on 23 July.

Although the House did not state a reason for the adjournment, it may be linked to the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence Day on 1 October.

Nigeria will mark its 66th Independence anniversary on 1 October 2026.