The House of Representatives has approved a three-month extension for the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act, moving the deadline from June 30 to September 30, 2026.
The decision was taken during an emergency plenary session on Monday presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Lawmakers passed a bill seeking to amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025, to allow the Federal Government additional time to complete ongoing capital projects captured in the budget.
To speed up consideration of the legislation, the House suspended relevant provisions of its Standing Orders, enabling the bill to pass first, second and third readings within the same sitting.
Leading the debate, House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the extension was necessary because several capital projects approved under the 2025 budget had not been fully executed.
According to him, allowing the implementation period to expire without an extension could negatively affect economic growth and ongoing development programmes across the country.
He explained that the amendment was not intended to alter any provision of the budget but solely to extend the validity period of the capital expenditure component.
“The objective is simply to extend the lifespan of the capital budget from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026, to allow ongoing projects to be completed,” Ihonvbere told lawmakers.
Speaker Abbas also backed the extension, noting that reports available to the House indicated that implementation of the capital budget remained incomplete.
He said granting the Federal Government additional time would enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies to meet obligations tied to the 2025 fiscal framework.
Following debate on the bill, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply, where lawmakers considered and approved the legislation clause-by-clause before adopting the committee’s recommendations.
The bill subsequently passed third reading and was approved by the chamber.
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The extension provides government agencies with an additional three months to utilise funds allocated for infrastructure and other capital projects.
The development highlights persistent challenges associated with budget implementation in Nigeria, including procurement delays, funding constraints and slow project execution, which often affect the timely completion of capital projects.
Meanwhile, the House also announced changes to the leadership of several standing committees following recent adjustments within the minority caucus.
Among the appointments, Ali Madaki was named Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties, while Ali Isa was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Shipping Services.
Pascal Agbodike was named Chairman of the Committee on the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, while Kelechi Nwogu was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Hydrological Services.
Speaker Abbas urged the newly appointed committee chairmen to immediately assume their responsibilities and contribute to strengthening legislative oversight and committee operations.
The House said the changes form part of ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and enhance oversight across critical sectors of the economy.