Governor Francis Nwifuru on Tuesday presented a N884.87 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly in Abakaliki, marking the largest budget in the state’s history.
Okay News reports that the proposal, titled the Budget of Actualisation and Hope, places strong emphasis on capital development in line with the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy.
According to the submission, capital expenditure accounts for 84.7% of the budget at N749.49 billion, while recurrent spending represents 15.3%, totalling N135.38 billion. The plan prioritises infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, industrialisation and youth development as key pillars of Ebonyi’s economic expansion drive.
The proposal shows the economic sector receiving the largest allocation—N492.9 billion or 55.7%—followed by the social sector with N247.97 billion or 28%. The administrative sector is set to receive N137.37 billion, while N5.03 billion goes to law and justice and N1.56 billion to the regional sector.
Governor Nwifuru explained that funding for the 2026 budget is expected from FAAC inflows (53.1%), independent revenue (5.5%) and capital development funds, including donor support (37.5%). He added that borrowing will be directed only toward productive ventures, not recurrent spending.
Reviewing activities in 2025, the governor highlighted timely salary payments, settlement of inherited pensions and financial assistance to more than 5,000 beneficiaries. In education, the administration invested in the University of Information, Communication and Technology at Oferekpe Agbaja, the University of Aeronautic Engineering at Ezza, 43 model secondary schools and over 1,000 postgraduate scholarships.
Healthcare achievements included sustained free maternal services and recruitment of additional health workers. The agricultural sector received support through mechanisation, fertiliser distribution, revival of the Nkaliki Hatchery and development of a feed mill.
Infrastructure milestones for the year included the VANCO flyover and tunnel, township road rehabilitation and extensive rural road works. The governor also disclosed ongoing plans to establish an industrial city and a cement factory as part of long-term economic diversification.
