By Julian Osamoto
President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the Appropriation (Amendment) (No. 4) Bill, 2025, extending the implementation of the 2025 budget from September 30 to December 31, 2026.
This was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
The extension followed the passage of the amendment by the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
The Presidency said the extension would give Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) additional time to complete ongoing capital projects and ensure that already appropriated funds are fully utilised.
It says the measure would also prevent disruption to critical government programmes.
Tinubu commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their prompt consideration of the bill, describing the action as a demonstration of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Senate had approved the extension after a motion moved by its Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, following an executive session and clause-by-clause consideration at the Committee of Supply.
Bamidele said the extension would help sustain economic activity, support local contractors, improve the utilisation of released funds, enhance budget performance and strengthen public service delivery.
He clarified that the amendment did not introduce new projects, adding that the extension should not be interpreted as a relaxation of fiscal accountability but as a measure consistent with the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
The implementation period for the 2025 budget was initially scheduled to end in December 2025 but was extended to March 31, 2026, then June 30 and subsequently September 30.
The latest extension marks the fourth adjustment to the implementation period of the 2025 budget.
The House of Representatives also approved the extension following an executive request seeking additional time for MDAs to complete critical infrastructure projects and other capital expenditures under the 2025 fiscal framework.
