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House of Representatives Extends 2025 Federal Budget Implementation to September Nationwide

Lawmakers say extension will allow more capital projects to be completed; government agencies urged to accelerate spending

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Lawmakers say extension will allow more capital projects to be completed; government agencies urged to accelerate spending

The House of Representatives has approved an extension of the 2025 federal budget implementation period until September, granting ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) nationwide additional time to utilise allocated funds for ongoing projects. The resolution was reached during a plenary session in Abuja on Monday, 15 June 2026, as lawmakers cited the need for improved capital expenditure delivery across Nigeria.

According to proceedings at the National Assembly, members agreed that extending the implementation window would enable critical infrastructure and development projects, many of which faced delays due to procurement bottlenecks and late releases of funds, to be completed before the end of the fiscal year. The decision affects both capital and recurrent expenditures under the current Appropriation Act.

The extension comes amid concerns about low budget performance in several sectors, with previous reports indicating that many MDAs had yet to fully disburse their allocations as at May. Lawmakers from various geopolitical zones argued that if the budget lapsed in June as earlier scheduled, numerous road, health, education, and power projects would remain unfinished, undermining government’s economic recovery agenda.

Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations said during debate that ministries must take advantage of the new timeline by fast-tracking procurement processes and project execution. “This extension is not for frivolous spending but to ensure Nigerians feel the impact of public investments,” he stated on the floor. There was no immediate objection from opposition parties recorded at plenary.

With this development, all relevant MDAs are expected to accelerate implementation efforts over the next three months. The House also resolved to intensify oversight functions, warning that agencies failing to meet utilisation benchmarks risk sanctions or funding cuts in subsequent budgets.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/887839-reps-extend-2025-federal-budget-implementation-until-september.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Lagos State Disburses ₦15bn, Creates 320,000 Jobs Through Employment Trust Fund

LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state

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LSETF says over 20,000 small businesses received funding as agency marks decade of job creation in South-West state

Lagos State Government has announced the disbursement of more than ₦15 billion to over 20,000 small and medium-scale businesses across the state through the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), leading to the creation of more than 320,000 direct and indirect jobs within the last ten years. The disclosure was made on Monday in Ikeja by the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Feyisayo Alayande, during a media parley where she presented the agency’s ten-year impact report.

Alayande stated that LSETF, established in 2016 to tackle unemployment and foster entrepreneurship in Lagos, has become a vital instrument for economic empowerment. She highlighted that access to finance, skills development initiatives, market opportunities and technology support provided by the fund have enabled thousands of residents and enterprises to thrive despite Nigeria’s challenging business environment.

According to Alayande, LSETF interventions have also helped safeguard more than 173,000 jobs that were at risk of being lost due to economic headwinds. Over 82,000 small businesses have benefited from capacity-building programmes organised by the fund during its decade of operation. She said: “Our focus remains on empowering Lagosians with resources and knowledge needed for sustainable livelihoods.”

She explained that since inception, LSETF has focused on inclusive growth by targeting young people and women-owned enterprises among its beneficiaries. The agency’s support covers various sectors including trading, manufacturing, hospitality and creative industries. Alayande noted that partnerships with local and international development partners have strengthened the fund’s impact across Lagos’ five administrative divisions.

While presenting the impact report, Alayande affirmed that LSETF would continue scaling up interventions in job creation and enterprise support as Lagos State aims to further reduce unemployment rates in South-West Nigeria. The opposition could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the agency’s reported achievements.

Source: https://guardian.ng/business-services/lagos-creates-320000-jobs-backs-20000-businesses-with-%e2%82%a615b/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Delta Tricycle Operator Outsmarts Kidnappers, Escapes Abduction Attempt in Warri

Security agencies urge increased vigilance as residents recount growing cases of abduction along major transport routes in Delta State

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Security agencies urge increased vigilance as residents recount growing cases of abduction along major transport routes in Delta State

A tricycle operator in Warri, Delta State, has narrated how he narrowly escaped from suspected kidnappers after being lured under false pretence on Monday. The incident occurred along a busy route in the metropolis, highlighting renewed concerns over rising abduction cases targeting commercial transporters in the South-South state.

According to the operator, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, he was approached by three men posing as regular passengers. After picking them up at a known junction, the suspects diverted him towards an isolated area under the guise of changing their destination. Sensing danger as one of the men tried to restrain him, the driver managed to swerve his tricycle abruptly and escaped from their grip before raising an alarm that drew the attention of passersby.

Abductions and attempted kidnappings targeting drivers and commuters have become more frequent across Delta and neighbouring states in recent months, with residents reporting similar tactics used by criminal elements. Local unions representing tricycle operators have repeatedly called for increased police patrols and more visible security presence on major roads to deter such attacks.

The Delta State Police Command has urged transport operators to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour immediately. “We are working with community leaders and transport unions to improve intelligence gathering around hotspots,” a senior police officer stated. The officer warned that criminals often exploit routine routes and low-traffic periods to perpetrate abductions, advising drivers not to travel alone during late hours whenever possible.

Authorities say investigations into Monday’s incident are ongoing, with efforts underway to identify those behind the foiled kidnapping. Meanwhile, residents are advised to exercise heightened caution as security agencies step up patrols in identified flashpoints across Warri and other parts of Delta State.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/887886-tricycle-operator-narrates-his-ordeal-and-how-he-outsmarted-kidnappers.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Federal, State, LG Governments Share ₦2.257trn April 2026 Revenue Nationwide

Latest revenue allocation marks significant rise as states and councils receive disbursements for critical projects and salaries

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Latest revenue allocation marks significant rise as states and councils receive disbursements for critical projects and salaries

The federal, state, and local government (LG) authorities across Nigeria have shared a total of ₦2.257 trillion as statutory revenue for April 2026. The distribution, which covers all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was concluded on Monday, June 15, according to official figures released by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The sharing formula follows established procedures involving the federal government, state governors, and representatives of the 774 local government areas. FAAC met in Abuja to finalise the allocation after reconciling revenue inflows for the month. The funds are drawn from oil receipts, value-added tax (VAT), and other statutory sources collected into the Federation Account.

This latest disbursement represents a notable increase from previous months, reflecting improvements in oil sales and non-oil revenue collection. The timely sharing of funds is expected to help states and local councils address salary backlogs, ongoing capital projects, and pressing social needs. Many states have faced fiscal pressure due to rising inflation and exchange rate volatility in recent quarters.

Government officials present at the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to transparent allocation and prudent utilisation of public funds. State representatives welcomed the higher remittance but urged federal agencies to step up monitoring of deductions at source. The FAAC committee also called on states to intensify internally generated revenue (IGR) efforts amid continued economic headwinds.

The next FAAC meeting is scheduled for mid-July when May’s figures will be reviewed. Economic analysts say sustained high allocations could improve liquidity across tiers of government but warn that inflationary pressures remain a concern for effective service delivery.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/887884-fg-states-lgs-share-n2-257trn-april-2026-revenue.html

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