Nigerian National Assembly: Nigeria 2025 Budget Capital Extension Approved to Dec 2026

• Nigeria's National Assembly has extended the implementation deadline for the capital component of the 2025 budget to December 31, 2026.
• This marks the fourth such extension for the 2025 budget, aiming to provide Ministries, Departments, and Agencies more time to execute capital projects.
• The Democratic and Leadership Alliance (DLA) criticized the move, citing a worsening fiscal and economic situation, with the 2024 budget still unfunded and the 2026 budget facing challenges.
• DLA spokesman Dr. Tosin Odeyemi alleged the administration lacks fiscal management understanding and called for greater accountability from the Federal Government over public funds.
• The extension raises concerns about potential budget rollovers, with predictions that the 2026 capital budget of over N35 trillion could be deferred to 2027.

The Democratic and Leadership Alliance (DLA) voiced significant concern over this decision, characterizing the repeated extensions as indicative of a deteriorating fiscal and economic landscape within the nation.

The Nigerian National Assembly has approved a significant extension for the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget, pushing the deadline to December 31, 2026. This decision, jointly made by the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, grants Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) additional time to complete capital projects outlined in the 2025 Appropriation Act. The previous deadline for these projects was September 30.

This marks the fourth time the implementation period for the 2025 budget's capital expenditure has been prolonged. The extension was prompted by ongoing concerns regarding delays in the execution of these critical capital projects, underscoring persistent challenges in the nation's public procurement and project delivery systems.

The Democratic and Leadership Alliance (DLA) voiced significant concern over this decision, characterizing the repeated extensions as indicative of a deteriorating fiscal and economic landscape within the nation. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, the Head of Media and Publicity for the DLA National Campaign Council, highlighted the party's apprehension, noting that the 2024 budget remains unfunded, while the implementation of the 2026 budget is already facing considerable hurdles.

Odeyemi specifically criticized the Bola Tinubu-led administration, asserting that the recurring extensions demonstrate a failure in fundamental governance metrics. He warned that the latest extension could further complicate overall budget implementation and potentially lead to a substantial rollover of outstanding capital expenditure. The DLA spokesman projected that the capital component of the 2026 budget, estimated at over N35 trillion, might consequently be deferred to 2027, perpetuating a cycle of managing multiple budgets concurrently.

The DLA called upon Nigerian citizens to demand greater transparency and accountability from the Federal Government regarding its management of public funds. The party urged the public to question the Tinubu administration about the substantial funds it received in 2025, particularly if it proved incapable of fully funding the budget.

Furthermore, Dr. Odeyemi criticized President Bola Tinubu for consistently urging Nigerians to hold state governors accountable for increased allocations resulting from fuel subsidy removal, while allegedly failing to provide explanations for his own utilization of a larger share of national resources and the substantial loans acquired under his leadership. The DLA spokesman concluded by alleging that the current administration lacks a fundamental understanding of fiscal management and is unfit to govern the country. The party also encouraged Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, presenting their own alternative program as a path to national restoration.

Lawyers advising clients on government contracts or public procurement in Nigeria should note the extended timeline for 2025 capital projects, requiring continued monitoring of tender processes and project execution schedules. This extension also signals potential fiscal challenges that could impact project funding and timelines, necessitating careful due diligence for clients engaged in government-funded initiatives.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers