Reps Extend 2025 Capital Budget Implementation To September

The House of Representatives at an emergency sitting on Monday, extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to September 30, 2026.

This followed the passage of:
“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 Act, 2025 from 30th June, 2026 to 30th
September 2026 (HB. 2784).”

The House suspended its relevant rules and passed the bill for first, second and third readings during the emergency sitting.

In a lead debate on the general principles of the bill, Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere(APC, Edo) said
the extension became necessary because several capital projects captured in the 2025 budget had not been fully implemented.

He stated that the amendment was not intended to alter any provision of the budget but merely to extend its lifespan by three months to allow ongoing projects to be completed.

“It is very straightforward. Because some aspects of the capital appropriation will not be fully implemented, if we do not extend the life of this particular law, it will have a very grave impact on the growth and development of the national economy.

“The purpose essentially is to extend the lifespan. We are not touching any part of the law. It is simply extending the lifespan from June 30, 2026 to September 30, 2026. I urge my colleagues to approve this so that we can continue with the work of developing and growing our economy and country,” Ihonvbere added.

In his comments, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said the records made available by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and other relevant agencies indicated that implementation of the capital budget was yet to be completed.

“As you are aware, the 2025 budget was extended to June 30. From the records we received from the Chairman, Appropriations, and other relevant quarters, it is yet to be fully implemented.

“It is therefore in the best interest of this country and the National Assembly for us to extend the budget to September 30 to enable the Federal Government fulfil its obligations under the 2025 budget,”Abbas stated.