Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday presented a ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened the Budget of Hope and Growth, to the Edo State House of Assembly, outlining an ambitious fiscal roadmap aimed at consolidating gains of his first year in office and restoring public confidence in governance.
Governor Okpebholo said the 2026 fiscal plan was designed to build on the foundation laid in 2025 while expanding the reach of government programmes to directly impact the lives of Edo people across all sectors of the economy.
According to the governor, the budget prioritises key areas critical to sustainable development, including security, infrastructure, agriculture, education, job creation and healthcare, noting that the focus of his administration remains on delivering “development the people can see and feel.”
A breakdown of the proposal shows a total expenditure of ₦939.85 billion, with capital expenditure standing at ₦637 billion, representing 68 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure is pegged at ₦302 billion, accounting for 32 per cent.
Okpebholo explained that the heavy tilt towards capital spending underscores his administration’s resolve to accelerate development through investments in roads, schools, hospitals, water supply, housing and other economically impactful projects across the state.
He explained that funding for the 2026 budget would be sourced from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) projected at ₦160 billion, Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) inflows estimated at ₦480 billion, capital receipts and grants of ₦153 billion, as well as ₦146 billion expected from Public-Private Partnerships and other revenue windows.
He assured Edo residents that the government would not impose unnecessary financial burdens on citizens, stressing that efforts would instead be intensified to strengthen revenue systems, block leakages and improve public finance management.
In the sectoral allocation, the economic sector received the largest share with ₦614.2 billion earmarked for agriculture, roads, transport, urban development and energy, with priority given to rural and urban road construction, completion of two flyovers, drainage works, urban renewal and expansion of farm estates and irrigation facilities.
The social sector was allocated ₦148.9 billion to cater for education, healthcare, youth development, women affairs and social welfare, including plans for extensive school renovations, recruitment and training of teachers, expansion of healthcare facilities and investments in youth skills, sports and entrepreneurship programmes.
For governance and service delivery, the administration sector was allocated ₦157.7 billion to drive civil service reforms, training and deployment of digital tools, improved revenue collection systems, support for ministries, departments and agencies, and the rollout of e-governance platforms.
The justice sector received ₦19 billion to strengthen courts, enhance justice delivery, and support legal reforms and access-to-justice programmes, while regional development and local government support will focus on grassroots empowerment, community roads, rural electrification, water and sanitation projects, and security outposts in border communities.
Governor Okpebholo said the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is anchored on his SHINE Agenda, built around five pillars of Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture and Education, with the vision of creating a prosperous, united Edo State where every citizen feels the impact of governance.
He admitted that there has been improvement in revenue flows to states, commended the Speaker and members of the House for their cooperation, and appreciated traditional rulers, faith leaders, political appointees and civil servants for their support, as he formally laid the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the Assembly for consideration and approval.
