The House of Representatives on Monday convened an emergency sitting and passed a bill extending the implementation period of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from June 30 to September 30.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) Act, 2025 to Extend the Implementation of the Capital Aspect of the Appropriation Act, 2025 from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026 and for Related Matters”, scaled first, second and third readings in a single sitting after lawmakers suspended relevant provisions of the House Standing Orders.
Leading the debate on the bill, House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere explained that the extension became necessary because several capital projects captured in the 2025 budget had not been fully implemented.
“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 stressed that the amendment was not intended to alter any provision of the budget but merely to extend its lifespan by three months to allow ongoing projects to be completed.
“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. I urge my colleagues to approve this so that we can continue with the work of developing and growing our economy and country,” he added.
Presiding over the session, Speaker of the House Rep. Abbas Tajudeen noted that records made available by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and other relevant agencies indicated that implementation of the capital budget was yet to be completed.
“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.
“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 to fulfil its obligations under the 2025 budget,” the Speaker said.
Following the adoption of the bill at second reading, the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply, where it considered and approved the three clauses, explanatory memorandum and long title of the legislation.
The committee subsequently reported back to plenary, where lawmakers adopted its recommendations and suspended House rules to allow the bill to be read a third time and passed the same day.
The passage of the amendment means federal ministries, departments and agencies now have an additional three months to implement capital projects and utilise funds appropriated under the 2025 budget.
Meanwhile, the House also announced changes in the leadership of some standing committees. Among the appointments, Rep. Ali Madaki was named Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties; Rep. Ali Isa J.C. was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Shipping Services; Rep. Pascal Agbodike was named Chairman of the Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), while Rep. Kelechi Nwogu was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Hydrological Services.
The Speaker urged the newly appointed committee chairmen to assume their responsibilities immediately and bring their legislative experience to bear in advancing the work of the House.
