The House of Representatives has approved another extension of the implementation period for the capital component of Nigeria’s 2025 budget, moving the deadline from September 30 to December 31, 2026.
The decision was taken during Tuesday’s plenary after Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader of the House, moved a motion seeking more time for the implementation of the capital budget. Ihonvbere said the 2025 capital budget had not been fully implemented because of economic difficulties. Following the motion, lawmakers fast tracked the bill and moved it from first reading to third reading within the same sitting.
The latest extension marks the fourth time the National Assembly has adjusted the deadline for implementing the capital component of the 2025 budget. The first extension was approved on December 23, 2025, when lawmakers moved the deadline to March 31, 2026. The decision followed the repeal and re enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts.
On March 31, 2026, the Senate and House of Representatives extended the deadline again, moving it from March 31 to June 30. The National Assembly later approved another extension on June 15, moving the deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026. At the time, Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate leader, said the execution of capital projects under the 2025 Appropriation Act had not reached an optimal level.
The latest decision therefore gives ministries, departments and agencies an additional three months to implement capital projects contained in the 2025 budget. Capital expenditure generally covers government spending on projects and assets such as roads, schools, hospitals, power infrastructure and other development projects. Extending the implementation period allows government agencies to continue using funds already provided for projects beyond the original budget timeline.
The repeated changes to the implementation deadline also highlight the difficulty of completing the 2025 capital budget within the initial timeframe. The House said the latest extension was necessary because the capital component had not been fully implemented. The extension comes as the government continues to work through several budget cycles, with lawmakers previously adjusting the lifespan of the 2025 budget to allow more time for capital projects.
With the new deadline, the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 budget will now run until December 31, 2026. The decision is expected to give government agencies additional time to complete ongoing projects and utilise funds allocated for capital expenditure under the 2025 Appropriation Act.
