Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has signed the state’s N1.62 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, setting an ambitious target of generating over N2.5 billion in daily internally generated revenue (IGR).

Speaking on Wednesday during the signing ceremony, Mbah reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating development across all sectors and commended the Enugu State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the budget.

A breakdown of the budget shows that N1.296 trillion, representing 80 per cent, was allocated to capital expenditure, while N321.3 billion, or 20 per cent, was earmarked for recurrent spending.

The economic sector received the largest allocation of N825.9 billion, accounting for 51 per cent of the total budget.

The social sector was allocated N644.7 billion, representing 40.1 per cent, while administration, justice and regional development received N128 billion, N15.8 billion and N2 billion, respectively.

Education took the highest sectoral share at 32.27 per cent, with N30 billion allocated for school feeding in the state’s 260 Smart Green Schools.

Funding for the budget is expected to come from N870 billion in internally generated revenue, N387 billion from the Federation

Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and N329 billion from capital receipts.
Mbah said the 2026 budget was anchored on inclusivity, accountability, transparency and strong institutions, adding that the projected revenue targets were achievable.

He noted that the administration had grown the state’s IGR from below N30 billion in 2023 to over N180 billion in 2024 and N400 billion in 2025.

According to him, Enugu State could become less dependent on federal allocations if the revenue projections are met, describing FAAC allocations as potential savings for future generations.

The governor explained that the projected N800 billion IGR for 2026 translates to over N70 billion monthly, N18 billion weekly and more than N2.5 billion daily, stressing the need for hard work and fiscal discipline.

He said the administration would forgo Christmas celebrations to remain focused on meeting the revenue and development targets.

Also speaking, Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu, said the governor’s early engagement with lawmakers ensured a smooth and people-oriented budget process.

Ugwu said residents should expect major infrastructure projects in 2026, including roads, rail development, additional aircraft, transport terminals, smart secondary schools and the completion of 260 farm estates.

The Federal Government has directed contractors handling major federal road projects across the country to remain on their sites throughout the yuletide period, except with express approval from the Ministry of Works.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, gave the directive while addressing contractors in Abuja, warning that no construction site on key highways should be shut during the festive season due to the heavy volume of travel expected nationwide.

The affected roads include the Abuja–Lokoja, Abuja–Kano, Lagos–Port Harcourt, Keffi–Makurdi, Enugu–Onitsha, and Sokoto–Zamfara expressways, among others.

Umahi said the decision was aimed at easing traffic flow and preventing a repeat of the severe gridlock recently experienced on the Abuja–Lokoja expressway, where thousands of travellers were stranded for hours following a standoff between truck drivers and military personnel.

He described the incident as an embarrassment to the Federal Government and urged contractors to ensure roads are freed and made motorable throughout the festive period.

The minister also announced that contractors handling inherited Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Tax Credit road projects must formally exit all previous agreements before they can be considered for payment.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the payment of N263 billion by NNPCL to contractors, while the Ministry of Works will take over responsibility for further payments on the projects.

Umahi disclosed that the total debt owed to contractors from 2023 to date stands at N2.13 trillion, noting that payments would only commence after the figures are properly verified.

He added that contractors must provide documentary evidence of outstanding claims, stressing that debts incurred before he assumed office would require the involvement of anti-graft agencies, the Auditor-General, and other relevant bodies before settlement.

The minister further announced plans to strengthen project supervision, stating that from January 7, 2026, a director would be assigned to each NNPCL road project, while all senior directors would be required to supervise specific projects.

He warned that any official not digitally compliant would be reported to the Head of Service for removal.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, said the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency would, from 2026, discontinue minor projects such as solar street lighting and focus strictly on major road repairs and collapsed bridges.

Goronyo directed FERMA to adopt concrete rather than asphalt for road repairs, insisting that Nigerians are tired of excuses and expect visible results.

He added that the agency must prioritise fieldwork and concentrate on fixing major road infrastructure across the country.

Abubakar Malami, SAN, former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, has been charged alongside his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and an associate, Hajia Bashir Asabe, with 16 criminal counts involving money laundering, conspiracy, and unlawful acquisition of assets.

The charges, filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja, allege that the trio illicitly acquired over ₦8.7 billion and at least 30 high-value properties across Nigeria between 2015 and 2025.

Court documents indicate that the defendants allegedly used corporate fronts, including Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited, Rahamaniyya Properties Limited, and Meethaq Hotels Limited, to conceal, disguise, and convert funds derived from unlawful activities.

Among the specific allegations, the defendants are accused of;

– Concealing ₦1,014,848,500 in Sterling Bank between July 2022 and June 2025 through Metropolitan Auto Tech Limited.

– Using Metropolitan Auto Tech to retain ₦600 million in March 2021 as collateral for a ₦500 million loan to Rayhaan Hotels Limited.

– Disguising ₦500 million paid to Efab Properties Limited for a luxury duplex at Amazon Street, Maitama, in November 2022.

– Controlling over ₦2.7 billion through Meethaq Hotels’ Union Bank account between 2022 and 2025.

The charge sheet further details multiple property acquisitions allegedly funded with illicit proceeds, including high-value properties in Abuja, Kano, and Kebbi State.

Notable transactions include a ₦700 million property purchase in Garki, Abuja, in 2018 and several plots in Asokoro and Gwarimpa.

Prosecutors allege that all acts violate the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

The total value of funds implicated is ₦8,713,923,759.49, while the properties involved are collectively valued at approximately ₦212.8 billion.

As Christians across the world celebrate Christmas and the New Year, the Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Hon. John Ogbodo, has called on residents of the council area and the state at large to embrace unity, peace, and collective responsibility for development.

In a Christmas message released to newsmen on Wednesday, Ogbodo urged Christians to reflect on the true meaning of the season, describing Christmas as a period that calls for love, sacrifice, tolerance, and service to humanity.

The council chairman said the festive season offers an opportunity for citizens to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence, irrespective of religious, political, or ethnic differences.

He commended Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as purposeful leadership and transformative policies across critical sectors of the state, noting that Enugu is witnessing renewed momentum in infrastructure development, security, education, healthcare and economic growth.

According to Ogbodo, the governor’s vision for a modern and prosperous Enugu State requires the continued support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including local government authorities, traditional institutions, youths, and community leaders.

He called on residents of Nkanu West to rally behind the Mbah administration, stressing that sustained peace and unity remain essential for attracting investment and accelerating development at the grassroots.

The council chairman also reassured the people of his commitment to people-oriented governance, promising to deepen development initiatives in the area in line with the policy direction of the state government.

Ogbodo further urged residents to celebrate responsibly during the festivities and to continue to pray for the peace, security and progress of Enugu State and Nigeria.