Senate Extends 2025 Capital Budget Deadline to September

On Thursday, the Nigerian Senate approved a three-month extension for the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriations Act, shifting the deadline from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026. This decision, sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Tahir Munguno, aims to salvage ongoing projects and enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to fully utilize funds already released by the Federal Government.

This marks the third extension, following previous shifts from December 31, 2025, to March 31, 2026, and then to June 30, 2026. Munguno emphasized the necessity of this extension due to substantial portions of released funds for approved projects that remain unutilized, primarily due to procurement timelines and administrative bottlenecks.

Senate Chairman Olamilekan Adeola noted that while payments for capital projects have commenced, many obligations remain outstanding. President Bola Tinubu had previously informed the National Assembly that 30 percent of the required funds for outstanding 2025 capital commitments would be accommodated in the 2026 budget framework.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio reiterated the importance of prudent management of public resources and the need for the extension to ensure effective budget execution.