Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has presented a proposed 2026 budget of ₦939.85 billion to the Edo State House of Assembly, outlining an ambitious financial plan aimed at accelerating development and improving the welfare of residents.
The appropriation bill, christened the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” represents a significant increase over the 2025 budget, which stood at about ₦799.82 billion. The governor noted that the new proposal is more than ₦140 billion higher than the previous fiscal year, reflecting the administration’s resolve to deepen development efforts across the state.
According to Governor Okpebholo, ₦637 billion—about 68 per cent of the total budget—has been earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦302 billion, representing 32 per cent, is allocated to recurrent spending. He explained that the emphasis on capital projects underscores his government’s commitment to delivering tangible infrastructure and long-term economic benefits to Edo people.
The governor stated that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate the achievements recorded in his first year in office, expand the reach of government services, and rebuild public confidence in governance. He described the proposal as people-centered, targeting key sectors that directly affect livelihoods and quality of life.
“This budget builds on the foundation we established in 2025. It reflects the priorities and aspirations of our people,” Okpebholo said. “Our focus is on security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, and job creation. Edo people want development they can see, feel, and benefit from.”
He added that the state would continue to prioritize major capital projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, hospitals, water supply systems, housing, and other strategic economic initiatives that can stimulate growth and create employment opportunities.
On funding sources, the governor disclosed that the budget would be financed through a mix of revenue streams. These include ₦160 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), about ₦480 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), ₦153 billion from capital receipts and grants, and ₦146 billion expected from Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), alongside other legitimate revenue channels available to the state.
Governor Okpebholo assured residents that his administration would not resort to policies that place undue financial burdens on citizens. Instead, he emphasized the government’s plan to strengthen revenue collection systems, improve efficiency, and eliminate leakages in public finance management.
A breakdown of sectoral allocations shows that the economic sector received the largest share with ₦614.2 billion, followed by the administration sector with ₦157.7 billion, and the social sector with ₦148.9 billion. These allocations, he said, are aligned with the administration’s strategic priorities.
The governor further explained that the 2026 budget is anchored on the SHINE Agenda, the core development framework of his administration. The agenda is built on five key pillars: Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education.
According to Okpebholo, the overarching vision of the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is to foster prosperity, unity, and inclusiveness across Edo State, ensuring that every citizen has renewed hope and that every community feels the positive impact of governance.
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