Abakaliki, Nov. 25, 2025 (Naija247news/NAN) – Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Tuesday presented a N884.87 billion Appropriation Bill for 2026 to the State House of Assembly, christened the “Budget of Actualisation and Hope.”
Speaking at the assembly in Abakaliki, Nwifuru said the budget was anchored on the government’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy, aimed at sustaining fiscal consolidation, accelerating economic growth, and enhancing human capital development across the state.
The capital component of the budget accounts for N749.49 billion (84.7%), while recurrent expenditure is N135.38 billion (15.3%), reflecting the administration’s commitment to driving development through heavy capital investment.
Sectoral allocations include N492.9 billion (55.7%) for the economic sector, N247.97 billion (28.02%) for social services, N137.37 billion (15.52%) for administration, N5.03 billion for law and justice, and N1.56 billion for the regional sector.
Nwifuru projected that FAAC allocations would finance 53.1% of the budget, independent revenue 5.5%, and capital development funds including grants and donor-assisted receipts would cover 37.5%. He stressed that borrowing would be used strictly for productive assets, not recurrent expenditure.
Highlighting key initiatives, the governor said the budget prioritises education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, and MSME development. Planned interventions include:
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Education: 43 model secondary schools, establishment of the University of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) at Oferekpe Agbaja, University of Aeronautic Engineering at Ezza, and over 1,000 local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.
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Healthcare: Continuation of free maternal healthcare, recruitment of healthcare workers, and improvements in service delivery.
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Agriculture: Mechanisation support, fertiliser distribution, revival of Nkaliki Hatchery, and construction of a major feed mill.
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Infrastructure: Progress on VANCO flyover and tunnel projects, township road rehabilitation, rural road construction, and plans for an industrial city and cement factory.
The governor noted the budget was shaped through participatory budgeting, reflecting citizens’ needs and aspirations, and marked the largest budget in the state’s history.
He urged the assembly to expedite passage, assuring prudent management of resources, transparency, accountability, and equitable development.
“Our goal is simple: to lift Ebonyi higher and ensure that every citizen feels the impact of governance. This budget is crafted to ensure that the efforts we have started translate into tangible realities for our people; it is a budget of hope, but more importantly, one of actualisation,” Nwifuru said.
(NAN)
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Godwin Okafor is the Publisher & CEO of Naija247news Media Group LLC, an independent investigative news platform delivering accurate, data-driven reporting on Nigerian and global politics, economy, finance, and business. Founded in October 2010, Naija247news specializes in developmental journalism, providing timely insights and analysis to readers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
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