It is Constitutional, a practice, norm and professional for a State Governor to present a budget to his State House of Assembly on how he (State Governor) intends to run the administration of the State in the new fiscal year. This proposal must state clearly, how the money will be generated and how it will be spent for the betterment of the state citizens. On the 16th December, 2025, the Executive Governor of the most strategic state in Nigeria, Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo fulfilled this constitutional obligation and presented a detail budget to the Edo State House of Assembly. Below is the proposed budget.
Budget Title: “Budget of Hope and Growth.”
Total Budget Estimate: ₦939,850,000,000 (~₦939.85 billion). Which up significantly from 2025 and designed to build on the gains of 2025 and deepen the socio-economic development across the state.
Expenditure Breakdown
Capital Expenditure: ₦637 billion – 68% focus on infrastructure and long-term development projects.
Recurrent Expenditure: ₦302 billion – 32% running the day-to-day operations of government.
Funding Sources
The government plans to fund the budget from multiple revenue streams:
✓ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): ₦160 billion
✓ Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC): ₦480 billion
✓ Capital Receipts & Grants: ₦153 billion
✓ Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): ₦146 billion
✓ Other Revenue Windows: unspecified additional revenue streams
Sectoral Priorities & Allocations
Economic Sector ₦614.2 billion for economic activities including, Agriculture
Roads, Transport & Urban Development Energy
Priorities include rural & urban road construction, flyovers, drainage works, urban renewal, farm estate expansion and irrigation projects.
Social Sector
₦148.9 billion, Education — school renovations, teacher recruitment & training
Health — expansion of primary, secondary and tertiary facilities
Youth development, sports, entrepreneurship support, women & vulnerable group programs
Administration & Governance
₦157.7 billion – Civil service reform, Staff training and digital tools deployment, E-governance implementation
Improved revenue systems for ministries, departments & agencies
Justice Sector
₦19 billion- Court strengthening, legal reforms, access-to-justice initiatives
Regional Development / Local Government Support
Focused on grassroots empowerment through community road construction, rural electrification, water & sanitation, and improved local security outposts.
Thematic Focus (SHINE Agenda)
Governor Okpebholo said the 2026 budget is anchored on his SHINE Agenda, which encompasses, Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources & Agriculture, Education.
Each pillar is intended to contribute to prosperity, stronger institutions, job creation, and improved service delivery.
Key Development Goals
Security: Continued clampdown on crime, strengthening security architecture. Infrastructure: Major road networks, two flyovers in Benin City, water supply improvements.
Healthcare: New primary healthcare centres and a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central.
Agriculture & Food Security: Significant increase in agriculture funding; cultivation of new farm estates.
Education: Recruitment of teachers, upgrade of dozens of schools, increased subventions to tertiary institutions.
Jobs & Economy: Job creation initiatives, support for traders & Youth entrepreneurship including loan schemes.
Strategic Budget Characteristics
Capital-Heavy Orientation: Emphasis on growth-oriented projects rather than consumption.
Diversified Funding: Combines federal allocations, local revenue, grants and private partnerships.
Focus on Service Delivery: Investments targeted at sectors that deliver tangible benefits to residents.
This budget was said to be designed to build on the gains of 2025 and deepen socio- economic development across the state. Therefore, it is important we take a look at the 2025 achievements and predict what the 2026 will be.
Key achievements of the State in 2025.
Economic Growth & Revenue Mobilization
Record Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The state significantly boosted its IGR to over ₦10 billion monthly, a record high attributed to tax reforms and improved revenue systems.
Budget Performance
The State emerged among the top-performing states nationwide in budget execution, achieving an 81.2 % implementation rate mid-to-late year. A strong indicator of fiscal discipline and effective planning.
Investment Attraction
Edo State signed a $250 million investment deal with the European-African Chamber of Commerce and Industries (EuroAfrica CCI) to finance agriculture, mining, technical skills development, renewable energy, and infrastructure over the next 3–5 years.
Infrastructure Development
Roads & Urban Mobility: Numerous road projects resumed or progressed across the state, improving accessibility for trade and daily commute.
Public Transportation
Resuscitation of Edo Transport Service with 100 new buses enhanced public transport efficiency and affordability for residents.
Major Projects & Agreements
Flyover construction at Ramat Park, Benin City, initiated to reduce traffic bottlenecks and promote smoother transportation.
MoUs with NNPCL
MoUs signed with NNPC for a $300 million condensate refinery and a $500 million hydropower plant — projects expected to expand energy access and industrial capacity (reported ongoing development).
Social & Human Development
Education Sector Revitalisation: Ambrose Alli University (AAU) , normalcy restored with reinstated Governing Council, increased funding (from ₦41 M to ₦500 M monthly), and resumption of medical student inductions.
Primary & Secondary Education: EdoSTAR teacher regularisation plus recruitment of over 500 teachers, strengthening academic delivery.
Healthcare Improvements
Opening of Oredo Primary Healthcare Centre, modern ultrasound machines deployed across all LGAs, and facility upgrades at the Edo Specialist Hospital improved public health capacities.
Youth Empowerment
Launch of the Edo Youth Impact Forum (EYIF 2025) and the “Hack the Future” Grant Programme supporting youth-led innovations with seed funding and incubation.
Security & Law Enforcement
Enhanced Security Architecture: New anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping laws with tougher penalties contributed to improved safety and reduced crime in troubled communities.
Security Equipment & Operations
Procurement of 75 Toyota Hilux vehicles and 350 motorcycles for security agencies, plus recovery of over 3,500 illegal firearms, boosted operational mobility.
Strategic Task Forces
Establishment of Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists and Operation Rescue; multi-agency initiatives reducing violent crimes across all 18 LGAs.
Business Environment & SME Support
SME & Market Empowerment Schemes: Interest-free loans to over 5,000 market women, farmers, and artisans plus grant disbursements to 400 small business owners strengthened grassroots economic resilience.
Youth & Entrepreneur Support
Youth-focused programmes , include training, networking, and business startup support, positioning Edo as an attractive environment for young entrepreneurs.
Agriculture & Food Security
Investment commitments through the EuroAfrica CCI deal and state development plans signal increased activity in agro-processing and agribusiness value chains, with projected expansion of commercial agriculture and jobs.
Going by the achievements of the Edo State government in 2025, I think it is obvious that the 2026 is bright for the citizens of Edo State.
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