The Senate has approved a fresh extension for the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget, shifting the deadline from March 31 to June 30, 2026, in a move aimed at preventing widespread abandonment of critical national projects.
The decision followed the passage of a bill seeking to amend the 2025 Appropriation Act, sponsored by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary.
Leading the debate, Bamidele described the extension as both “compelling and pragmatic,” noting that the execution of capital projects had fallen below expectations despite the release of about 30 per cent of allocated funds to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He warned that failure to extend the implementation timeline could worsen the already troubling trend of abandoned or partially completed projects across the country.
According to him, while many of the projects remain relevant, only about 70 per cent have been captured in the 2026 budget, making it necessary to provide a legal window for their completion.
“This extension is critical to ensuring continuity, improving budget performance, and promoting efficient utilisation of released funds,” Bamidele said, adding that it would also help strengthen fiscal discipline and safeguard public resources.
He further noted that sustaining capital expenditure would support economic reflation by preserving jobs and maintaining development momentum across key sectors.
The motion for the bill’s passage was seconded by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who emphasised that the move aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s infrastructure-driven agenda.
READ ALSO: Nigerian’s Senate Passes ₦68.4trn 2026 Budget, Cites Legacy Obligations, Key Infrastructure Projects
Nigerian’s Senate Passes ₦68.4trn 2026 Budget, Cites Legacy Obligations, Key Infrastructure Projects
Jibrin stressed that additional time was necessary to ensure the completion of ongoing projects, warning that failure to do so could undermine efforts to deliver critical infrastructure needed for national growth and prosperity.
Following clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate passed the bill, effectively extending the lifespan of the 2025 capital budget to the end of June 2026.
About The Author
