Senate Extends 2025 Budget Implementation to September 30

The Nigerian Senate has approved a three-month extension for the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act. The deadline has been moved from June 30 to September 30, 2026, a move intended to prevent the abandonment of projects and ensure the complete utilization of public funds allocated to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

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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.

The decision followed a motion by Senate Minority Leader Senator Tahir Monguno, which received swift adoption after lawmakers suspended procedural rules due to the urgency of budget execution concerns. Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the extension was necessitated by delays in project execution, procurement challenges, and administrative hurdles that have slowed down implementation despite substantial fund releases.

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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.

Bamidele emphasized that the 2025 Appropriation Act was designed to fund government programs aimed at economic growth, infrastructure development, national security, and public welfare. He warned that without additional time, ongoing capital projects, many of which are in advanced stages, could be abandoned, leading to financial waste and disruption of government interventions.

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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.

Following extensive debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the motion to a voice vote, which was overwhelmingly approved. Senators contributing to the discussion argued that the extension would enhance budget performance, reduce public expenditure waste, and ensure the continuity of critical infrastructure and development projects across the country.

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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.