Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has presented a 2026 Appropriation Bill totaling N939.85 billion to the State House of Assembly. Dubbed the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” the proposal marks a significant increase from the previous fiscal year, prioritizing infrastructure and economic development.
Strategic Allocations and Priorities The budget allocates the lion’s share of resources to development projects, with N637 billion—representing 68 percent of the total—earmarked for capital expenditure. The remaining N302 billion, or 32 percent, is designated for recurrent expenditure. Governor Okpebholo emphasized that the fiscal plan is anchored on his administration’s “SHINE” agenda, which focuses on five key pillars: Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education.
“The vision of the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is simple,” Okpebholo stated during the presentation. “It is to bring about prosperity and a united Edo State where every citizen has hope and every community feels the impact of governance.”
A breakdown of the sector allocations reveals a heavy emphasis on economic drivers:
Economic Sector: N614.2 billion (the largest allocation).
Administration Sector: N157.7 billion.
Social Sector: N148.9 billion.
Justice Sector: N19 billion.
To fund this ambitious plan, the state projects an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N160 billion. Additional funding sources include N480 billion from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), N153 billion in capital receipts and grants, and N146 billion anticipated from Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Building on Previous Gains The proposed N939.85 billion figure represents a substantial rise of N140.3 billion over the supplementary budget of N799.82 billion approved in October 2025. The governor noted that the 2025 budget had already delivered “real impact,” citing improved IGR collection due to the blockage of financial leakages. He assured lawmakers that the 2026 estimates aim to consolidate these gains, expand the government’s reach, and restore public confidence in state governance.
The proposal is now before the State House of Assembly for consideration and eventual passage.
