Nigerian lawmakers extend implementation of 2025 federal budget after Tinubu’s failed promises

The Senate on Tuesday extended the implementation timeline of the capital component of the 2025 budget to 30 June 2026.

The upper chamber approved the extension during plenary following the consideration of an appropriation bill seeking an amendment to the budget implementation period.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the extension of the appropriation bill after it was read for the first, second and third times on the same day and supported by most of the senators.

The bill was earlier considered at the Senate Committee on Supply.

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This is the second extension of the capital component of the 2025 budget. The implementation period was initially scheduled to end on 31 December 2025, but was first extended to 31 March 2026 to allow the federal government to complete ongoing projects captured in the budget.

Nigeria’s continuous extension of the capital component of previous budgets has long been a source of concern.

Successive governments, often with the support of the National Assembly, have justified such extensions as necessary for project completion.

The current administration has continued to operate multiple budgets within a single fiscal cycle since assuming office. Lawmakers and economic analysts have consistently criticised the trend.

On 9 October 2025, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance on the performance of the 2025 budget, pledged that the government would end the practice of extending budget implementation beyond the fiscal year.

In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu, while presenting the 2026 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly, also promised to end the practice of operating overlapping budgets. He assured Nigerians that by 31 March 2026, all capital liabilities would be fully funded and closed.

“We’re terminating the habit of running three budgets in one flow. By March 31, 2026, all capital liabilities from previous years will be fully funded and closed. From April, Nigeria will operate on a single budget,” the president promised.

However, the latest extension suggests continued reliance on overlapping budget cycles.

The debate

The appropriation bill seeking the extension was presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) during plenary.

Mr Bamidele said the extension was necessary to prevent abandonment of projects across the country and to ensure full utilisation of allocated funds.

He said the move was in the public interest.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also supported the extension, arguing that ongoing government projects must be completed to avoid waste and abandonment.

After deliberations, Senate President Akpabio put the extension to a voice vote, and the majority of lawmakers voted in support.