The Budget Office of the Federation has explained the delay in the publication of recent Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports, attributing it to fiscal and legislative adjustments linked to the 2025 Appropriation Act.
In a statement issued on May 17, Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, said the delay followed the repeal and re-enactment process of the 2025 Appropriation Act concluded in December 2025, as well as the extension of the implementation period of the 2025 budget to June 2026.
According to him, the developments effectively extended the operational lifespan of the 2025 budget beyond the conventional January-to-December fiscal cycle.
Yakubu explained that a fiscal year is not necessarily tied to the calendar year, noting that it is a legal and legislative framework determined by appropriation laws and related statutory authorisations.
He stated that where expenditure implementation is lawfully extended beyond 12 months through legislative action, the fiscal year assumes that extended legal character.
The Budget Office boss cited examples from countries such as the United States and India, where fiscal years differ from the regular calendar year due to statutory arrangements aimed at supporting economic management and budget implementation.
He added that Sections 80 and 81 of the 1999 Constitution do not impose a rigid 12-month fiscal cycle but rather require public spending to be backed by valid legislative authorisation.
Yakubu also referenced judicial precedents, including the Supreme Court case of Attorney-General of Bendel State v. Attorney-General of the Federation, to support the argument that legislative approval remains central to public expenditure.
According to the statement, the Budget Office is currently conducting comprehensive reconciliations involving revenue performance reviews, expenditure alignment, debt updates, and inter-agency coordination to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the reports.
He assured that the outstanding Quarterly Budget Implementation Reports would be released in phases over the coming weeks.
Yakubu further disclosed that the office is strengthening its digital reporting systems and institutional coordination mechanisms to improve the timeliness and quality of fiscal reporting in line with international standards.
The Federal Government, he said, remains committed to open budgeting, fiscal discipline, transparency, constitutional compliance, and accountable public financial management.