Lawmakers expressed concern that repeated budget extensions could damage public confidence in the Tinubu administration.
The Senate has approved a second extension of the 2024 Appropriation Act’s capital component, now set to run until December 31, 2025. Lawmakers cited delays in procurement and fund disbursement. The initial extension shifted the deadline from December 2024 to June 2025.
The ₦28.7 trillion budget, signed in January, allocates ₦9.9 trillion to capital expenditure. A ₦2.17 trillion supplementary budget later pushed total spending to nearly ₦30.87 trillion.
The amendment bill was presented and passed through all readings on the same day, with Senator Olamilekan Adeola stating, “This extension is necessary to enable MDAs complete ongoing procurement and ensure capital projects are delivered.”
However, some senators raised alarm. Yahaya Abdullahi warned, “The credibility of this government is getting down… there has never been a time… where the appropriation bill is extended twice in one cycle.”
Senator Abdul Ningi accused the Ministry of Finance of selective payments, while Abba Moro and Seriake Dickson urged stronger oversight to restore confidence in public budgeting.