The Nigerian budgetary system, as embodied in the annual Appropriation Act, has often been subjected to extensions beyond the constitutionally prescribed financial year, which spans from January to December. This research critically examines the legality and constitutional basis of such extensions, with particular focus on the extension of the 2024 Appropriation Act into 2025.
The study interrogates constitutional provisions, statutory enactments, fiscal responsibility principles, judicial precedents, and comparative experiences from other democracies. It establishes that while the financial year is constitutionally defined, the lifespan of an Appropriation Act is not expressly limited to that calendar year. Consequently, the National Assembly, by virtue of its legislative competence under Section 4(2) and fiscal control under Section 80(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), possesses the authority to extend Appropriation Acts where necessary.
