Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has presented a proposed ₦987.8 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, with ₦708.43 billion earmarked for capital projects.
Otu presented the estimates in Calabar on Wednesday under the theme, “Budget of Consolidation and Renewed Hope”, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustainable development, fiscal discipline and inclusive economic growth.
He described the budget as more than a collection of financial estimates, calling it “a solemn and sacred pact laden with the trust, expectation and aspiration of the people for their improved livelihoods.”
The governor said effective implementation would require prudent resource management, accountability and disciplined public spending to translate his administration’s commitments into tangible improvements in residents’ lives.
The proposed budget is valued at precisely ₦987,808,089,235.92, representing an increase of approximately 2.57 per cent over the 2026 budget.
Capital expenditure accounts for ₦708.43 billion, or 71.72 per cent of the total, while recurrent expenditure stands at ₦279.38 billion, representing 28.28 per cent.
According to Otu, the substantial capital allocation reflects the government’s determination to prioritise infrastructure, human capital development and productive investments that can stimulate economic activity.
He said the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper formed the basis of the estimates, which would sustain ongoing programmes while creating opportunities for investment, employment and improved public services.
“The imperative of this exercise underscores our collective resolve to chart a sustainable course for the growth and development of our dear State,” he said.
Otu rules out fresh borrowing
Addressing concerns about Cross River’s debt profile, the governor said his administration had not obtained fresh domestic or external loans since taking office in 2023.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the Debt Management Office, he maintained that Cross River was among the few states that had not contracted new loans during the period.
Otu attributed the state’s existing debt burden to obligations inherited from previous administrations, saying debt servicing had limited the resources available for development projects.
He added that currency devaluation and foreign exchange liberalisation had increased the naira value of the state’s external debt.
“I cannot, and will never mortgage the future of our children with unsustainable loans,” he declared.
The governor pledged to strengthen internally generated revenue, maximise federal allocations and attract development assistance and private-sector investment to fund the state’s priorities.
Cross River raises 2026 spending framework
Reviewing the implementation of the 2026 budget, Otu acknowledged challenges arising from exchange-rate volatility, rising operational costs, supply-chain disruptions and inherited debt obligations.
He said his administration had worked with the legislature to approve a supplementary budget, increasing the spending framework to ₦963.07 billion to accommodate urgent interventions and counterpart-funding requirements.
Among the achievements he highlighted was the delivery of more than 608 kilometres of interconnected roads across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The projects include the Nsan–Oban Road in Akamkpa, the Adiabo–Ikoneto Road in Odukpani and the Yahe–Ebo–Wanakade Road in Yala.
He also cited rural electrification initiatives involving solar streetlights, mini-grids and electricity network rehabilitation, which he said were helping to improve mobility, revive commercial activities and reconnect underserved communities.
Over 20,000 bags of fertiliser distributed
Agriculture featured prominently in the governor’s account of the state’s economic development strategy.
Otu said the government had distributed more than 20,000 bags of fertiliser to 8,000 farmers and supplied over one million improved oil-palm, cowpea and cocoa seedlings across Cross River.
He also highlighted the establishment of a 50,000-hectare rice project and support for more than 5,300 livestock farmers.
The interventions, he said, included loans, grants and agricultural machinery for smallholder and large-scale producers.
According to the governor, an ₦18 billion offtake arrangement had supported the state’s agricultural initiatives, while its cash-crop programme was strengthening farmers’ productive capacity.
“There is no food security without agriculture,” he said.
Otu added that his administration intended to make Cross River Nigeria’s leading cocoa and oil-palm-producing state through expanded cultivation, mechanisation, agro-allied industries and private-sector partnerships.
Healthcare, education receive major allocations
The governor outlined several interventions aimed at improving healthcare, education and public-sector welfare.
In healthcare, he cited the renovation and rehabilitation of hospitals and the establishment of medical oxygen plants in Calabar and Ogoja in partnership with UNICEF.
He also said the government had upgraded state-owned Schools of Nursing and Midwifery to meet accreditation standards.
Other achievements he listed included a reported 95 per cent routine immunisation coverage, the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure for medical workers and an increase in the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years.
In education, Otu said the state had deployed more than ₦17 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission intervention funds to support classroom construction and rehabilitation.
He added that the government had paid West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees for 43,694 Cross River indigenes and approved the promotion of more than 14,000 teaching and non-teaching staff.
The administration, he said, was targeting a literacy rate of 98 per cent, up from an estimated 80.7 per cent, while strengthening technical and vocational education to equip young people with employable and entrepreneurial skills.
Otu also reaffirmed the state’s policy of free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary school, alongside the payment of examination fees for public-school students.
Aviation, transport and maritime projects
The 2027 budget also prioritises aviation, transportation, maritime development and tourism as part of the state’s economic diversification strategy.
Otu disclosed that the state had added a Bombardier CRJ regional jet to its aviation assets, bringing its fleet to five aircraft. He also reported accelerated construction work at the Obudu International Passenger and Cargo Airport.
In transportation, he highlighted the acquisition of 730 electric vehicles, including inter-city and metropolitan buses, tricycles and motorcycles.
He said the initiative was intended to reduce commuting costs and promote cleaner transportation.
On maritime development, the governor said the Bakassi Deep Seaport had received Federal Government approval and a Certificate of Compliance and was awaiting the commencement of construction.
He put the anticipated private-sector investment in the project at approximately $3.5 billion.
Otu also cited the Federal Government’s formal re-accreditation of Cross River as a littoral state, describing it as an important development for the state’s maritime ambitions.
“Our overall target in this sector is to transform our aviation business model into a highly profitable and self-sustaining revenue asset for the State,” he said.
Infrastructure gets ₦246.1bn
Infrastructure has the largest explicitly listed sectoral allocation in the proposed budget, receiving ₦246.1 billion.
The other major allocations include:
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Education — ₦99.6 billion
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Health — ₦85.4 billion
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Agriculture — ₦28.2 billion
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Aviation — ₦21.8 billion
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House of Assembly — ₦20.2 billion
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Judiciary — ₦19.1 billion
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Power — ₦16.6 billion
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Tourism — ₦11.3 billion
The governor said the budget would remain aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while ensuring continuity for unfinished projects and directing resources towards strategic priorities.
He also pledged further investments in forest conservation, the green economy, judicial infrastructure, security and youth empowerment.
On the judiciary, Otu promised adequate funding for ongoing court projects and improvements in judicial officers’ working conditions. He also urged the institution to pursue reforms that would strengthen public confidence in justice delivery.
Otu seeks timely passage of budget
Concluding his presentation, the governor called for continued cooperation among the executive, legislature and judiciary, describing institutional harmony as essential to peace, stability and shared prosperity.
He pledged to maintain an administration that responds to citizens’ needs, manages public resources prudently and remains accountable to the electorate.
“My administration shall continue to be responsive to the yearnings of the citizenry, prudent in the management of the State’s resources and accountable to the people,” he assured.
Otu formally requested the Assembly’s consideration and timely passage of the proposed ₦987.8 billion Appropriation Bill, expressing confidence that its implementation would accelerate economic growth and improve the welfare of Cross River residents.
He also referred to the estimates under the banner, “Budget of Shared Prosperity”, urging lawmakers and other stakeholders to work together towards a more prosperous, inclusive and economically resilient state.