The Nigerian Senate has once again extended the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 federal budget, shifting the deadline to 31 December 2025.
The decision was reached during Tuesday’s plenary session after the Senate received and passed an amendment bill requesting the extension.
The bill, which underwent first, second, and third readings in a single day, received overwhelming support from lawmakers.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin announced the approval following its presentation and consideration by the Senate Committee on Supply.
Leading the debate, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), said the extension was necessary to allow the federal government complete several ongoing capital projects covered under the 2024 budget.
He noted that the federal government currently lacks the financial capacity to embark on entirely new projects, stressing the importance of finishing existing ones.
According to him, failing to do so could result in a growing list of abandoned projects across the country.
This marks the second extension of the 2024 budget’s capital implementation.
The first was granted in December 2024 following a formal request by President Bola Tinubu, who sought to push the original 31 December 2024 deadline to 30 June 2025.
At the time, President Tinubu argued that the extension would help ensure the completion of capital projects and optimize use of allocated funds.
The request was approved by both chambers of the National Assembly after thorough deliberation.
However, with the 30 June 2025 deadline now just days away, it became clear that many key projects remained unfinished — prompting lawmakers to support another extension.
While critics of the extension argued that it reflects inefficiency within government ministries and agencies, supporters insisted that it is a necessary step to safeguard investments in infrastructure and prevent project abandonment.
Details later.