Nigeria’s House of Representatives just gave the Federal Government three extra months to finish 2025 projects, warning that failing to extend the budget could hurt growth.

The House of Representatives on Monday approved a three-month extension for spending on the capital side of the 2025 budget, cbinews.TV reports.

The new deadline moves from 30 June to 30 September 2026. The idea is to give the Federal Government more time to wrap up ongoing projects already captured in the budget.

The move came through a 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.”

It was a rapid process. At an emergency session led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, lawmakers suspended parts of the House Standing Orders and pushed the bill through first, second and third readings in one sitting.

House Leader Prof Julius Ihonvbere led the debate. He told colleagues the extension was needed because several capital projects in the 2025 budget are still incomplete.

“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 made it clear that the amendment doesn’t change any figures in the budget. It only extends how long MDAs have to spend the capital funds.

“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.

Speaker Abbas backed the move. He said records from the Chairman of Appropriations and other sources 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 has 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 explained.

After the second reading, the House went into the Committee of Supply. There, lawmakers considered and approved the bill clause by clause, including its explanatory memorandum and long title. The committee then reported back to plenary and the recommendations were adopted.

The House also suspended its rules again to let the bill pass third reading the same day.

What this means in practice is that Ministries, Departments and Agencies now have until the end of September 2026 to execute capital projects and use the funds already appropriated for 2025.

It’s a familiar story in Nigeria’s budget cycle. Delays in procurement, revenue shortfalls and slow project execution often stall capital spending. And capital projects are key for infrastructure, growth and jobs.

In other business, the House announced a shake-up in committee leadership following recent changes in the minority caucus.

Ali Madaki is now Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties. Ali Isa will head the Committee on Shipping Services. Pascal Agbodike takes over the Committee on the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, while Kelechi Nwogu was named Chairman of the Committee on Hydrological Services.

Speaker Abbas urged the new chairmen to hit the ground running and use their experience to strengthen legislative oversight across key sectors.

The appointments are part of efforts by the House leadership to improve committee work and boost oversight of the economy.

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