The National Assembly has called for the immediate withdrawal of all circulars previously issued regarding contract awards under the 2025 fiscal year.
This directive comes as preparations intensify for the rollout of the ₦23.9 trillion capital expenditure component of the 2025 budget, which is expected to commence soon and extend into 2026.
The decision was made during a meeting on Thursday between the joint Appropriations Committee and members of the President’s economic team, held at the National Assembly complex.
Key government officials in attendance included the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu; and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamsudeen Ogunjimi.
The meeting focused on evaluating the implementation of the 2024 budget and reviewing progress on the ₦54.9 trillion 2025 fiscal plan.
Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Bichi, announced that the Finance Ministry’s circular preventing Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from awarding contracts until they receive an Authority to Incur Expenditure (AIE) would be rescinded.
He confirmed that the 2025 budget implementation would begin without delay, with AIEs to be issued within seven days.
Additionally, the joint committee, led by Senator Adeola Olamilekan, resolved to extend the implementation period of the 2024 budget until December 2025.
