Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has presented a proposed budget of ₦939.85 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Edo State House of Assembly, outlining an ambitious spending plan aimed at deepening development and restoring public confidence in governance.
The governor described the proposal as the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” noting that it reflects his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible progress across key sectors of the state’s economy. The 2026 appropriation is over ₦140 billion higher than the 2025 budget estimate of approximately ₦799.82 billion, signalling a significant expansion in government spending.
According to Governor Okpebholo, the bulk of the proposed expenditure—₦637 billion, representing about 68 percent—has been earmarked for capital projects, while ₦302 billion, or 32 percent, is allocated to recurrent expenditure. He explained that the emphasis on capital spending underscores the government’s focus on visible and impactful development projects that directly improve the lives of Edo residents.
The governor said the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate the gains recorded during his first year in office, expand the reach of government programmes, and rebuild the trust and hope of citizens in public administration. He emphasized that the budget responds directly to the most pressing needs of the people, including security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare, and job creation.
“This budget builds on the foundation laid in 2025. It reflects the aspirations of Edo people and addresses the realities they face daily,” Okpebholo stated. “Our priority remains capital development—roads, schools, hospitals, water supply, housing, and other economic projects—because our people want development they can see, feel, and benefit from.”
On revenue projections, the governor disclosed that funding for the 2026 budget would come from multiple sources. These include ₦160 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), ₦480 billion from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), ₦153 billion from capital receipts and grants, ₦146 billion from Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), as well as other legitimate revenue streams available to the state.
Governor Okpebholo also assured residents that his administration would not introduce policies that place undue financial burdens on citizens. Instead, he said the government would focus on improving efficiency, strengthening revenue collection systems, and eliminating financial leakages to maximize available resources.
A breakdown of sectoral allocations shows that the economic sector received the largest share, amounting to ₦614.2 billion. This is followed by the administration sector with ₦157.7 billion and the social sector with ₦148.9 billion. The distribution, he explained, aligns with the state’s development priorities and long-term growth strategy.
The governor further noted that the budget is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda, which is built on five core pillars: Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education. These pillars, he said, provide a clear roadmap for sustainable development and inclusive governance.
Concluding his presentation, Okpebholo said the vision of the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is to foster prosperity, unity, and renewed optimism across Edo State. “Our goal is an Edo State where every citizen has hope, every community feels the presence of government, and development reaches all corners of the state,” he added.
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