Senate extends 2025 Budget implementation to September

By Henry Umoru, Abuja

The Senate has extended the implementation deadline for the capital component of the 2025 budget by three months, setting a new target of September 30, 2026.

This change moves the previous deadline from June 30, 2026, and is intended to give Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) additional time to finish ongoing infrastructure projects and fully utilize the funds that have already been released.

The resolution was adopted after a motion sponsored by Senate Chief Whip Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North) during Thursday’s plenary session.

Lawmakers said the extension was necessary to prevent key capital projects from being abandoned, to ensure proper use of public funds, and to improve overall budget performance in the face of procurement delays and administrative bottlenecks.

It marks the third extension of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, which had previously been moved from December 31, 2025, to March 31, 2026, then to June 30, and now to September 30, 2026.

Senators noted that although significant funds had already been released, many MDAs had not yet fully utilized them because of challenges in project execution and procurement processes.

Monguno explained that several major projects were already at advanced stages and required additional time for completion, certification, and payment. He warned that without the extension, projects could be abandoned and public resources wasted.

He added that extending the implementation period would improve budget performance and support national development objectives.

Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, backed the motion, noting that while some capital payments had begun, several outstanding obligations remained.

He cited President Bola Tinubu’s earlier briefing to the National Assembly that 30 percent of the capital expenditure would be accommodated in a rolled‑over budget, while 70 percent would be captured in the 2026 budget.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio also supported the extension, saying it aligned with the constitutional powers of the legislature and was necessary for effective budget execution.

Akpabio said that although implementation had begun, a significant number of commitments were still pending and required additional time for settlement.

He expressed confidence that the new deadline would allow MDAs to complete ongoing projects while ensuring a smoother transition into the next budget cycle.

The post Senate extends 2025 Budget implementation to September appeared first on Vanguard News.