Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has submitted a ₦884.868 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Tagged “Budget of Actualisation and Hope,” the proposal is geared toward fast-tracking infrastructure development, strengthening human capital, and consolidating ongoing reforms. The governor said the spending plan is fully aligned with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs.

The draft budget earmarks ₦749.49 billion (84.7%) for capital expenditure and ₦135.37 billion for recurrent costs. According to Nwifuru, the budget is structured to boost industrialisation, support economic recovery and enhance citizens’ welfare.

Sectoral allocations for 2026 include:

• Economic Sector: ₦492.93bn (55.71%)
• Social Sector: ₦247.97bn (28.02%)
• Administrative Sector: ₦137.37bn (15.52%)
• Law and Justice: ₦5.03bn (0.57%)
• Regional Sector: ₦1.56bn (0.18%)

The governor recalled the heavy debt burden and unpaid pensions inherited upon assuming office, noting that thousands of pensioners have now received their gratuities.

Highlighting achievements in the 2025 fiscal year, Nwifuru cited empowerment programmes benefiting more than 5,000 residents, vocational and agribusiness training for women and youths, and significant progress across the education sector.

Key milestones include the establishment of the University of ICT, Oferekpe, with over 20 accredited courses; commencement of academic activities at the University of Aeronautic Engineering, Ezza; construction of 43 model secondary schools; and the award of over 1,000 scholarships locally and overseas.

In the health sector, the government recorded improvements such as free maternal care, enhanced emergency response with new ambulances, renovation of general hospitals, recruitment of additional health workers, and reinstatement of the drug revolving fund.

On agriculture, Nwifuru enumerated advances in mechanisation across the 13 LGAs, distribution of fertiliser, support for cooperatives, ongoing construction of an Ebonyi Feed Mill, and the revival of the Nkaliki Hatchery, which is projected to create about 2,000 jobs.

He also highlighted major infrastructure projects, including the VANCO Flyover and Tunnel, completion of the Iziogo Tunnel, ongoing flyovers at Nwezenyi and Nwofe Junction, and extensive urban and rural road rehabilitation.

Nwifuru commended security agencies for maintaining peace and said efforts were underway to resolve the Effium–Alioma boundary dispute. He provided updates on the Ebonyi Industrial City, the state-owned cement plant, and the Waste-to-Wealth Plant in Umuoghara.

Water supply schemes at Oferekpe, Abakaliki Lowlift, and Ezillo have been restored, while new reservoirs and reticulation works are ongoing in Iboko and Ivo.

The governor appealed to lawmakers for speedy consideration of the budget, saying it reflects “determination, discipline, and sincerity” despite the prevailing national economic challenges.