The Senate on Thursday approved a three-month extension for the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, shifting the implementation deadline from June 30 to September 30.
The approval followed a motion moved by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, APC-Borno, during plenary.
The extension applies only to capital projects, not recurrent expenditure.
—Unutilised funds, procurement delays cited—
Monguno said the extension became necessary due to substantial funds already released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, that remained unutilised
He blamed delays from procurement procedures, project execution challenges and administrative processes for the slow implementation.
“Failure to extend the implementation period of the 2025 Appropriation Act may result in the abandonment of critical projects, the wastage of already committed public resources and the disruption of ongoing government interventions,” Monguno told the chamber.
He added that many strategic projects across key sectors are at advanced stages and need more time for completion, certification and payment.
He warned that expiring the budget could create funding gaps as some allocations may not be accommodated in future appropriation cycles.
“Granting a further extension of the implementation period is in the national interest and will ensure value for money in public expenditure,” he stated.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Solomon Adeola, APC-Ogun, clarified that when President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget, the plan was for 30% implementation by March 31, with the remaining 70% rolled over into the 2026 budget.
That target was not met, forcing the National Assembly to first extend the budget lifespan to June 30. Adeola said payments had commenced but significant obligations were still outstanding.
“There is a need to extend this budget beyond June 30 to September 30. By then, we are hopeful that the outstanding 30 per cent will have been paid in full, while implementation of the components transferred to the 2026 budget can commence,” Adeola explained.
Sen. Victor Umeh, NDC-Anambra, who seconded the motion, stressed the need to sustain execution of projects contained in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
—Senate sends resolution to Executive—
After deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the proposal to a voice vote and it received overwhelming support.
“The payment would have stopped halfway if this was not done,” Akpabio said.
He directed that the Senate’s resolution be communicated to the Executive for implementation.
“Accordingly, the resolution of the Senate is being communicated to the Executive that the 2025 Appropriation Act has been extended to Sept. 30,” Akpabio stated.
The National Assembly had earlier extended the 2025 budget implementation period to June 30 due to delays in release and utilisation of capital funds.
The Senate adjourned plenary until July 7 afte
