President Bola Tinubu has requested the National Assembly’s approval to extend the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act to March 31, 2026, in a bid to resolve Nigeria’s long-standing challenge of overlapping budget cycles.
The request was contained in a letter dated December 18, 2025, which was read on Friday during a special plenary session of the House of Representatives by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Tinubu explained that the letter supersedes an earlier one sent on December 16, noting that the proposed extension forms part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at improving budget planning, execution, and accountability.
According to the President, the adjustment would enable the release of at least 30 per cent of capital allocations to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), stressing that persistent delays in fund releases have continued to undermine effective budget performance.
He further disclosed that the proposal involves the repeal and reenactment of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts. Under the plan, the 2024 budget would be revised upward to N43.56 trillion, while the 2025 budget would be adjusted to N48.32 trillion and extended to run until March 31, 2026.
Tinubu said the amendments would also accommodate items previously unrecognized and ensure budget implementation aligns with prevailing fiscal realities and the government’s execution capacity.
The President urged lawmakers to expedite consideration and passage of the bills in the national interest.
Since assuming office in May 2023, the Federal Government has faced overlapping budgets due to delays in budget passage, revenue constraints, and the slow release of capital funds.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu is expected to present the 2026 budget to the National Assembly on Friday.