Abuja – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to approve the extension of the 2025 Appropriation Act to March 31, 2026, in a bid to end the persistent practice of running multiple budgets at the same time.
The request, contained in a letter dated December 18, was read on Friday during a special plenary of the House of Representatives by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Tinubu explained that this communication supersedes an earlier letter dated December 16, 2025, and is intended to address overlaps in Nigeria’s budget execution cycle.
According to the President, the proposal is part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening planning, execution, and accountability in public spending.
He stated that the adjustment would ensure the full release of at least 30 per cent of capital allocations to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), noting that delays in fund releases have continued to undermine budget performance.
The President’s letter indicated that the repeal and re-enactment of the 2024 Appropriation Act would revise its total size to N43.56 trillion, while the 2025 budget would be adjusted to N48.32 trillion and extended to cover the period ending March 31, 2026.
“I hereby transmit to the House of Representatives the enclosed Appropriation (Repeal and Re-Enactment Bills), 2024 and 2025, for the consideration of the National Assembly, in accordance with the established constitutional and legislative appropriation process,” the letter read.
It further stated that the 2025 budget adjustment comprises N3.65 trillion for statutory transfers, N14.32 trillion for debt service, N13.59 trillion for recurrent expenditure, and N16.77 trillion for capital expenditure and development fund contributions.
The letter emphasized that the extension would align budget performance with current fiscal realities and execution capacities while promoting transparency.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to consider and pass the bills promptly in the overall interest of national development.
