Reps Postpone 2025 Capital Budget Implementation to September

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives convened an emergency sitting on Monday and passed a bill that extends the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from June 30 to September 30, 2026.

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 Act, 2025 from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026 and for Related Matters,” was read in its first, second and third readings during a single session after lawmakers suspended the relevant provisions of the House Standing Orders.

House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere led the debate, explaining that the extension was necessary because several capital projects listed in the 2025 budget had not yet been fully implemented.

“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,” Ihonvbere said.

He added that the amendment was not intended to alter any provision of the budget but simply to extend its lifespan by three months, allowing ongoing projects to be completed.

“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,” he said.

Speaker of the House Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, presiding over the session, noted that records provided by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and other relevant agencies showed that the implementation of the capital budget was still incomplete.

“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 to fulfil its obligations under the 2025 budget,” the Speaker said.

After the bill was adopted at second reading, the House referred it to the Committee of Supply, which considered and approved the three clauses, the explanatory memorandum and the long title of the legislation.

The committee reported back to plenary, where lawmakers adopted its recommendations and suspended House rules to allow the bill to be read a third time and passed the same day.

The amendment gives federal ministries, departments and agencies an additional three months to implement capital projects and utilise funds appropriated under the 2025 budget.

During the same session, the House announced changes in the leadership of several standing committees. Rep. Ali Madaki was named Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties; Rep. Ali Isa J.C. was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Shipping Services; Rep. Pascal Agbodike was named Chairman of the Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN); and Rep. Kelechi Nwogu was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Hydrological Services.

The Speaker urged the newly appointed committee chairmen to assume their responsibilities immediately and apply their legislative experience to advance the work of the House.

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