President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the approval of the National Assembly to extend the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act to March 31, 2026, as part of efforts to end the long-standing challenge of overlapping budget cycles in the country.

The request was contained in a letter dated Dec. 18, 2025, which was read on Friday during a special plenary session of the House of Representatives by the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas.

President Tinubu explained that the new letter supersedes an earlier communication sent to the National Assembly on Dec. 16, 2025, noting that the proposed extension forms part of broader fiscal reforms aimed at improving budget planning, execution and accountability in public finance management.

According to the President, extending the budget timeline would allow the Federal Government to release at least 30 per cent of capital allocations to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), stressing that persistent delays in fund releases have continued to undermine effective budget performance.

He further disclosed that the proposal includes the repeal and reenactment of both the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts.

Under the new arrangement, 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 run until March 31, 2026.

Tinubu explained that the proposed amendments would also accommodate expenditure items that were not previously captured and ensure that budget implementation aligns with prevailing fiscal realities and the government’s execution capacity.

He urged members of the National Assembly to consider and pass the relevant bills expeditiously in the interest of national development and economic stability.

Since assuming office in May 2023, the President noted, the Federal Government has faced recurring challenges associated with overlapping budgets, largely due to delays in budget passage, revenue shortfalls and the slow release of capital funds.

The President expressed optimism that the proposed measures, if approved, would strengthen fiscal discipline, enhance budget credibility and improve overall economic management.