The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has explained that the decision by the House to repeal and re-enact the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Acts was taken to align Nigeria’s budgeting framework with global best practices, promote transparency, and address persistent implementation challenges.

Agbese made this known during an interview on Friday, where he said the legislative action was designed to strengthen accountability across all tiers of government while reducing the oversight burden that often complicates budget execution.

“Basically, it is to align the nation’s budgeting system with global and international best practices. It is also to ensure transparency and accountability at all levels and to lessen the burden of oversight during implementation,” he stated.

According to him, the repeal and re-enactment of the appropriation laws would also facilitate the introduction of a single national budget cycle after March 31, 2026, which he described as crucial for smooth and effective execution by the Executive arm of government.

Agbese commended the House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Bichi, for what he described as its diligence and speed in handling the re-enactment bill forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He said the committee’s efficiency made it possible for the House to deliberate on and pass the bill before lawmakers adjourned for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Agbese observed that the practice of running multiple budgets in Nigeria often results in fiscal confusion and the scattering of government resources across numerous projects, leading to weak outcomes and poor value for money.

He added that the extremely low performance of the 2025 capital budget was largely attributable to the simultaneous implementation of multiple budgets.

“By adopting a single budget after March 31, 2026, the Executive will be able to execute the budget without much hassle. When there is a single funding system, it becomes easier to manage cash flow and ensure timely releases,” he explained.

Agbese also praised President Tinubu for providing leadership that supports fiscal reforms, describing the President’s commitment to budget discipline and economic stability as reassuring.

During the presentation of the 2026 budget, President Tinubu announced that the era of multiple budget implementations in Nigeria would come to an end by March 31, 2026.

The President stated that from April 2026, the country would operate a single budget anchored on a unified revenue cycle.

He explained that the reform was aimed at addressing long-standing fiscal challenges, including abandoned projects, unpaid contractual obligations, and overlapping budgets inherited from previous administrations.

“This is a research-intensive, very hard task. Avoiding abandoned projects, unpaid contractual obligations, and running multiple budgets, both inherited and for fulfilled mandates, is a problem staring the nation. By March 31, 2026, all capital liabilities from previous years will be fully funded and closed. No overlaps, no excuses, and no rollover cultures,” he said.

Agbese described President Tinubu as a listening leader, noting that the decision to end multiple budgets reflected the concerns raised by lawmakers and experts over the years about the damaging effects of overlapping budgets on fiscal discipline.

“We commend the economic team, especially the budget and planning ministry, for putting together a budget plan that reflects the nation’s reality and the economic interests of various segments of our society,” he said.

He stressed that the House of Representatives remains committed to reforms aimed at strengthening public finance management, improving service delivery, and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s budgeting process.