The Federal Government has ordered ministries and agencies to move 70 per cent of their 2025 capital projects to 2026 as revenue pressures worsen.
The directive, issued through the 2026 Abridged Budget Call Circular, blocks new capital projects next year and focuses strictly on completing ongoing ones.
Agencies must upload their rolled-over allocations by December 9. Spending limits for 2026 remain tight, with capital ceilings fixed at 70 per cent of this year’s levels.
Fresh budget estimates show tougher times ahead: revenue is expected to dip, debt servicing will rise, and capital spending will fall from N26.19tn to N22.37tn. The deficit is projected to widen to N20.12tn.
Economists are divided. Some say the rollover signals poor fiscal management; others see it as a necessary reset to match spending with real income.
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Budget Minister Abubakar Bagudu maintains the move will steady government finances and support the push toward a $1tn economy.
