By Mercy Gadia
The House of Representatives has extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from June 30, 2026, to September 30, 2026.
The decision followed the consideration and passage of a bill to amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025, at an emergency plenary session held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The bill, which scaled through first, second and third readings in a single sitting, was considered after lawmakers suspended relevant provisions of the House Standing Orders.
Leading debate on the bill, the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the extension had become necessary due to the incomplete execution of several capital projects in the 2025 budget.
“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,” he said.
Ihonvbere added that the amendment did not alter the content of the budget but only extended its lifespan.
“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 said.
Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, said available records showed that implementation of the capital budget was still ongoing.
“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,” he said.
The Speaker said the extension was necessary to enable the Federal Government complete its obligations under the budget.
“It is therefore in the best interest of this country and the National Assembly for us to extend the budget to September 30 to enable the Federal Government fulfil its obligations under the 2025 budget,” he added.
Following the passage of the bill, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply, where the clauses were considered and approved before the report was adopted at plenary.
With the extension, federal ministries, departments and agencies now have an additional three months to complete capital projects and utilise funds appropriated under the 2025 budget.
Meanwhile, the House announced changes in the leadership of some standing committees.
Rep. Ali Madaki was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties, Rep. Ali Isa J.C. was named Chairman of the Committee on Shipping Services, Rep. Pascal Agbodike was appointed Chairman of the Committee on SMEDAN, while Rep. Kelechi Nwogu was named Chairman of the Committee on Hydrological Services.
The Speaker urged the newly appointed chairmen to immediately assume duty and strengthen legislative oversight in their respective committees.