House of Representatives has approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to extend the implementation of the capital component of 2025 Appropriation Act to March 31, 2026.
Gatekeepers News reports that the approval followed the passage of two bills seeking the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts, which the president transmitted to the National Assembly last week.
Tinubu explained that the extension would allow ministries, departments, and agencies to fully utilise capital funds amid revenue and funding constraints.
During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers adopted a report presented by Abubakar Bichi, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, before considering and passing the bills clause by clause.
Bichi told the House that the committee engaged members of the president’s economic team, including minister of finance, minister of budget and Economic Planning, and director-general of Budget Office, to clarify the rationale behind the request.
He said the move was aimed at improving capital project delivery while maintaining fiscal discipline.
According to him, part of the capital allocation for the 2025 budget was rolled over to 2026 due to limited funding and revenue pressures.
He added that the adjustment was expected to make budget implementation more realistic and align spending with projected revenue improvements in the next fiscal year.
Bichi, however, acknowledged that frequent extensions of budget implementation timelines could affect clarity and weaken fiscal discipline, noting that the committee emphasised the need for stronger budget execution going forward.
After passing the bills, the House adjourned plenary and is expected to resume legislative activities on January 27.
