Akwa Ibom State has proposed a total budget of ₦1,390,000,000,000 (One trillion, three hundred and ninety billion naira) for the 2026 fiscal year.
Under the proposal, ₦354.867 billion — representing 25% of the budget — is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while ₦1.035 trillion, or 75%, is set aside for capital spending.
Presenting the estimates to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Governor Umo Eno explained that the 2026 proposal is ₦260 billion (16%) lower than the revised 2025 budget. He said the budget, themed “The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth,” is designed to meet the needs of residents based on feedback gathered during Town Square Meetings.
“I urge you to quickly pass this budget so we may continue to work for our people”, he told the lawmakers, reaffirming his commitment to the needs of the people of Akwa Ibom state”, Governor Eno appealed.
Key allocations in the capital expenditure include N387.5 billion for roads and infrastructure, N31.6 billion for education, and N136.1 billion for health. By prioritising capital expenditure, the budget seeks to accelerate economic activities in the state.
Governor Eno expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for removing the petroleum subsidy, which has enabled states to allocate more funding to projects. He assured that the budget aligns with the ARISE Agenda, focusing on food security, mechanised agriculture, and improving rural households’ income.
“We are undertaking bold and audacious projects without borrowing and have earmarked resources to complete all the projects we have initiated. We thank the President again and assure him that to whom much is given, much is expected, and we will deliver big for him come 2027.”
“As we speak, 69,107 (sixty-nine thousand one hundred and seven) farmers have benefited from our agricultural revolution; 13,060 registered farmers have benefited from Agric processing machines and equipment we have purchased for our farmers.
“The palm tree crop revolution, which we plan to launch soon, will create generational wealth for our people, especially those in the rural areas. Through this revolution, government will actively get involved in palm tree planting and will eventually off-take from our farmers.”
The total projected Capital Receipts and Expenditure for 2026 is N1.035 trillion, with N791.978 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and N243.155 billion from other sources. The Governor emphasised that specific project allocations will be provided by the Commissioner for Budget.
He called for the swift passage of the budget, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to development across multiple sectors. Speaker Elder Udeme Otong praised the budget’s alignment with the ARISE Agenda and thanked the Governor for his commitment to remodel the AKHA complex.
