President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly to approve the extension of the 2025 budget until March 31, 2026, as part of his administration’s efforts to address long-standing issues of overlapping budget cycles and weak implementation of capital projects.
The request was conveyed in a letter dated December 18, 2025, which was read on Friday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, during a special plenary session.
In the letter, Tinubu explained that the new communication supersedes an earlier request sent on December 16, 2025, highlighting that the extension is aimed at strengthening fiscal planning, improving execution, and enhancing accountability in public spending.
“The proposed adjustment will allow ministries, departments and agencies adequate time to plan, procure, and execute capital projects efficiently, delivering better value for money and tangible outcomes for Nigerians,” the President stated.
Tinubu further disclosed that the proposal involves repealing and reenacting the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts, aligning budget implementation with current fiscal realities. 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 March 2026.
He emphasised that the amendments would account for previously unrecognised expenditure items and ensure that budget timelines better match revenue flows and the nation’s execution capacity.
The President appealed to lawmakers to give expedited consideration to the request, stressing that swift legislative action is critical for sustaining economic reforms and accelerating national development.
“Nigeria has long struggled with overlapping budget cycles due to late passage of appropriation bills, revenue shortfalls, and delays in capital fund releases. This reform will restore predictability and improve the impact of public spending across all sectors,”Tinubu noted.
