Nigeria lawmakers extend 2025 capital budget deadline

Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives have each passed measures extending the deadline for implementing the capital component of the 2025 budget from September 30 to December 31, 2026, giving government ministries and agencies three additional months to use the allocations. The reports establish passage in both chambers but do not clarify whether the measure has completed all steps required to take effect. The Senate passed its bill on Tuesday, September 29, after considering it through committee and plenary stages. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the extension would allow ministries, departments and agencies to complete projects for which funds had been appropriated and released. He said capital works involve procurement, contract execution, mobilisation, certification and payment, and that some released funds remained unused. The House also passed an extension on Tuesday, after considering a bill sponsored by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere. The House account said the 2025 capital budget had not been fully implemented amid economic difficulties.