Reps Give MDAs 3Months to Complete 2025 Capital Projects

The House of Representatives has extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 budget to September 30, 2026, giving federal ministries, departments and agencies three additional months to complete ongoing projects funded under the appropriation law.

Lawmakers approved the extension on Monday during an emergency sitting in Abuja. The bill amended the 2025 Appropriation Act by shifting the capital budget implementation deadline from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

The bill passed through first, second and third readings in one sitting after the House suspended parts of its Standing Orders to fast-track consideration.

Why the Budget Deadline Was Extended

Leading the debate, House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere said the extension became necessary because several capital projects in the 2025 budget had not reached full implementation.

According to him, allowing the capital budget to lapse on June 30 would disrupt ongoing projects and weaken economic development efforts.

“It is very straightforward. Because some aspects of the capital appropriation will not be fully implemented, if we do not extend the life of this particular law, it will have a very grave impact on the growth and development of the national economy,” Ihonvbere said.

He explained that the amendment did not change the budget figures, allocations or structure. Its only purpose was to extend the legal window for implementation by three months.

“The purpose essentially is to extend the lifespan. We are not touching any part of the law. It is simply extending the lifespan from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026,” he added.

Speaker Says Extension Is in National Interest

Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the emergency session, said reports available to the House showed that the capital component of the 2025 budget had not been fully implemented.

He said the extension would allow the Federal Government to meet its obligations under the budget and ensure that ongoing capital projects do not suffer avoidable disruption.

“As you are aware, the 2025 budget was extended to June 30. From the records we received from the chairman, appropriations, and other relevant quarters, it is yet to be fully implemented,” Tajudeen said.

He added that extending the budget to September 30 was in the best interest of the country and the National Assembly.

Bill Passed in One Sitting

After the bill passed second reading, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider its clauses, explanatory memorandum and long title.

The committee approved the provisions and later reported back to plenary. Lawmakers adopted the report and suspended the rules again to allow the bill to be read for the third time and passed on the same day.

The fast-track process shows the urgency attached to preventing a legal gap in the execution of capital projects already captured under the 2025 Appropriation Act.

What the Extension Means for MDAs

With the passage of the amendment, federal ministries, departments and agencies now have until September 30, 2026, to continue implementing capital projects and using funds appropriated under the 2025 budget.

The move is expected to support project continuity, especially for infrastructure, public works and development programmes that may have faced procurement delays, funding bottlenecks or administrative setbacks.

Capital budget implementation is critical because it covers government spending on roads, schools, hospitals, power projects, public buildings and other long-term assets. When implementation is delayed, contractors face payment uncertainty, projects stall and communities wait longer for promised development.

Why This Matters for the Economy

The extension comes at a time when Nigeria is trying to stimulate growth through public investment. Capital spending plays a major role in job creation, infrastructure delivery and private sector activity.

If capital projects stop midway because of an expired budget window, the economy can suffer. Contractors may suspend work, workers may lose income and public assets may remain incomplete.

By extending the implementation period, the House is giving the Federal Government more time to complete projects already approved by law. However, the extension also raises fresh questions about budget discipline, procurement efficiency and the ability of MDAs to execute projects within agreed timelines.

Repeated extensions may help avoid abandoned projects, but they can also weaken the credibility of annual budgeting if delays become routine.

House Announces New Committee Appointments

During the sitting, the House also announced changes in the leadership of some standing committees.

Rep. Ali Madaki was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties, while Rep. Ali Isa J.C. was named Chairman of the Committee on Shipping Services.

Rep. Pascal Agbodike was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, while Rep. Kelechi Nwogu became Chairman of the Committee on Hydrological Services.

Speaker Tajudeen urged the newly appointed committee chairmen to resume their duties immediately and use their legislative experience to strengthen the work of the House.