Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has proposed a ₦1.39 trillion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as a “People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth” aimed at deepening infrastructure development and improving livelihoods across the state.
Presenting the proposal before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Governor Eno said the budget reflects insights gathered from the state’s Town Square Meetings and is designed to respond directly to citizens’ needs.
The 2026 proposal represents a ₦260 billion (16%) reduction from the revised 2025 budget.
Of the proposed ₦1.39 trillion expenditure, ₦354.867 billion (25%) is earmarked for Recurrent Expenditure while ₦1.035 trillion (75%) is allocated to Capital Expenditure.
The governor explained that prioritising capital spending would accelerate economic activities, support infrastructure expansion, and drive long-term growth.
Key sectoral allocations include: ₦387.5 billion for roads and infrastructure, ₦31.6 billion for education and ₦136.1 billion for health.
Governor Eno reiterated his request for quick legislative approval, saying:
“I urge you to quickly pass this budget so we may continue to work for our people.”
The governor also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for removing the petrol subsidy, noting that the policy has created fiscal room for states to fund more development projects without borrowing.
According to him, all ongoing projects have been fully funded, consistent with the administration’s ARISE Agenda, with priority areas including food security, mechanised agriculture, rural income expansion, and poverty reduction.
Governor Eno highlighted ongoing agricultural reforms, noting that 69,107 farmers have benefited from the state’s agricultural revolution, 13,060 registered farmers have received processing machines and equipment and a new palm tree crop revolution will soon be launched to build long-term wealth, particularly in rural communities.
Total projected capital receipts for 2026 stand at ₦1.035 trillion, comprising ₦791.978 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and ₦243.155 billion from other financing sources.
Further details of project-specific allocations, the governor said, will be presented by the Commissioner for Budget.
Speaker of the Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, commended the governor for presenting a budget consistent with the state’s development blueprint and for prioritising the ongoing transformation of the Assembly complex.
