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Governor Mbah’s 2026 Budget Estimates: From Building Foundations To Delivering Impacts

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Dailygazettenig
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Enugu State governor Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has been in the news for the right reasons.

24 hours after the launch of the first-ever state government drones procurement and security logistics worth billions of naira.

He on Tuesday went to the people’s parliament, the hallowed chambers of Enugu State House of Assembly, where he masterfully presented the estimates for the 2026 fiscal year tagged ” Budget of Renewed Momentum”.

The government proposed to spend 1.62 trillion naira in 2026.
The government has kept the majority of its promises in 2025: 5 new bus terminals, 260 type 2 health centres under construction, some already completed, 260 smart schools, some already completed and in use.

The government has established the foundation, which was tough but necessary, and is now set to double down on bringing all the promises to full operational levels.

The government, in keeping with its thorough understanding of the people’s needs, is set to complete and put in full use (200 hectares per ward) 260 farm estates with a central warehouse, completely fenced with an irrigation system, where 200 farmers will have access to tractors and agricultural skills to grow the state’s GDP.

The government will, in 2026, invest heavily in the transportation system with new transportation terminals to rise in Udi, Awgu, Emene, Four Corners, and Obollo Afor.

As the governor stated, transportation is the lifeblood of commerce, and the government will deliver these terminals and introduce 2000 Sedan City Taxis that will aid the ease of transportation and restore the glory days when taxis dropped people off in their streets and homes with ease and panache.

Having delivered Enugu Air in 2025 as promised, with 3 aircraft, the government has purchased an additional 3 more aircraft that will arrive this month, and will purchase an additional 14 aircraft to expand the fleet to 20 in 2026.

The government is poised to finish the 250-bed international hospital in February 2026, and all interventions in Parklane hospital and all type 2 health centres will be operational and functional.

51 general hospitals will be completely overhauled and rejigged. This will drop the infant mortality rate significantly and bring primary health care close to the people.

The government has promised to construct 1200 km of roads in 2026 and every local government area will see a major road constructed.

The government will deliver next year the Abakpa – Ugwugo -Opi dualization and also deliver the Owo- Ubahu-Neke-Ikem-Obollo Afor road to open new frontiers to the North Central and reduce travel time and decongest the city.

The government will be building 15000 new houses in the first phase of its 30,000 housing sector revolution to bridge the housing deficit.

The government is already putting the assets in place for the take-off of the Enugu smart city project, which is 85 percent completed.

11 billion will be spent in sports to upgrade Nnamdi Azikiwe and Awgu games village for the hosting of the National Sports Festival, Enugu 2026.

The government is building the tourism infrastructure with the first zipline expected to be completed.

Our hills, waterfalls, and lush vegetation are money spinners which the government intends to harness from Awhum to Okpatu to Ngwo.

Enugu is already shining with the beautification of the city and revival of old tourism assets like Ngwo park Uwani, Ejindu park in coal camp tells the story of the momentum Enugu is building.

The government has again earmarked over 32.27 percent for education and is expected to start the construction of a campus of the upgraded Iwollo Polytechnic, now Iwollo University of Agriculture, in Uzo Uwani, and build smart technical and vocational education training TVET secondary schools in each of the federal constituencies of Enugu State, and 100 percent take off all smart schools.

For pensioners, joy is coming in 2026 as 20 billion naira has been earmarked to settle gratuities owed them for over 20 years.

These give goose pimples, and people wonder where the state will get the funds for these laudable projects.

The governor who is a disruptive innovator has used the last two years to build asset yielding projects like the Enugu smart city expected to generate 300B naira, the ICC, Sunrise Flour Mill, Niger Gas limited, United Palm Products Limited, Asphalt plant, Tractor Assembly Plant, Hotel Presidential, Bus terminals, Enugu Air to bring revenue in excess of 100B and thus add to the 400B IGR and over 327B expected from FAAC thus meeting the revenue projections of 807B from non FAAC sources and budget of 1.62T. The 2026 budget is doable and achievable.

Ndi Enugu is poised to experience a new lease of life in 2026. Their patience, resilience and understanding have paid off because the tomorrow of Eldorado is here.
Congratulations Ndi Enugu.

Tomorrow is no longer coming, it is here.

Eze Chinweuba
Mbuze 1 of Neke

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US Lawmakers Pressure Tinubu To Scrap Sharia Law, Disband Hisbah Over Rising Religious Persecution

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Dailygazettenig
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At a joint briefing of the United States Congress on Tuesday, witnesses and lawmakers called for renewed pressure on the Nigerian government to declare Sharia criminal law unconstitutional in northern states and dismantle Hisbah religious-enforcement groups, arguing that these structures have enabled systematic persecution of Christians.

The appeal was made during a bipartisan session convened in response to President Donald Trump’s October directive following Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

Testifying before lawmakers, Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, asserted that Nigeria’s most violent actors, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and radicalised Fulani militants, frequently exploit Sharia institutions and Hisbah officials to force conversions, entrench extremist ideology, and operate with minimal resistance.

He outlined a two-pronged US policy approach: Support the Nigerian military to decisively neutralise Boko Haram; Pressure President Bola Tinubu to abolish Sharia criminal codes in the 12 northern states that adopted them since 2000 and to disband Hisbah organisations enforcing Islamic law on citizens irrespective of their faith.

Obadare noted that Abuja has taken several steps since the CPC redesignation and Trump’s threat of unilateral military action.

Following Washington’s pressure, he said the Tinubu administration has ordered airstrikes on Boko Haram positions,approved the recruitment of 30,000 police officers, and declared a national security emergency.

Even so, he insisted that “Washington must keep up the pressure” to ensure meaningful reforms.

The joint briefing, led by Appropriations Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart with the involvement of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, featured repeated claims that the Nigerian government is failing to stop what witnesses described as “religious cleansing” in the north and Middle Belt.

They cited the November 22 abduction of students and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, ongoing blasphemy-law imprisonments as well as mass killings that they say contradict claims that the violence is driven mainly by resource competition.

Obadare reiterated that the central driver of instability remains jihadist terrorism, especially Boko Haram’s campaign to topple the Nigerian state and enforce an Islamic caliphate.

House members from both parties backed calls for stronger US action.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) described Nigeria as “ground zero” for global anti-Christian persecution, while Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) urged disarmament of militias and prosecution of perpetrators.

Officials including USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler and ADF International’s Sean Nelson recommended the use of security-aid conditions, early-warning mechanisms, and targeted sanctions to compel accountability.

Lawmakers announced that the House Appropriations Committee is preparing a formal report to President Trump with actionable recommendations, including possible conditionalities on US assistance to Nigeria.

The hearing follows Nigeria’s re-entry onto the CPC list on October 31, after the designation was removed under former President Biden.

Trump has warned that aid to Nigeria may be halted and that military action is possible, if Abuja does not curb the alleged persecution of Christians.

This was the second congressional briefing on Nigeria in recent weeks.

A similar hearing held on November 20 featured testimony from US State Department officials and Nigerian religious leaders on the implications of the CPC designation.

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38 Abducted Kwara Worshippers Reunite With Their Families

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Dailygazettenig
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Thirty-eight worshippers kidnapped in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have been reunited with their families, days after concerns were raised that the government had not physically handed them over despite announcing their rescue.

The victims were abducted on November 18, 2025, during a special thanksgiving service at CAC Oke Isegun, Eruku, an attack that left three people dead and another injured by gunfire.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti LGA Chairman, Dada Sunday, confirmed that the victims were officially handed over to the Chairman of Ekiti LGA, Awelewa Olawale Gabriel, in Ilorin by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

According to the statement, the handover concluded a joint rescue operation coordinated by federal and state security agencies.

While receiving the freed worshippers, Awelewa expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Governor AbdulRazaq, the National Security Adviser, and security agencies for what he described as quick and coordinated action.

He also praised authorities for providing medical support and welfare to the abductees after their rescue, assuring residents that strengthening security across all 10 wards of the LGA remains a top priority.

“We will leave no stone unturned in safeguarding the lives and property of our people,” he said.

The freed victims arrived back in Eruku around 6:30 pm on Tuesday, where they were welcomed by cheering residents, family members, and community leaders.

The Owa of Eruku also commended the rescue efforts and expressed relief that the worshippers had returned home safely.

“Since the day of the attack, the entire community has been anxious. Their safe return has brought us great relief,” he said.

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Abure-Led Labour Party Continues Nationwide Congresses, Releases Time Table

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Dailygazettenig
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The Labour Party (LP) faction loyal to Julius Abure on Tuesday pushed ahead with its nationwide ward congresses in all states except Abia, describing the turnout as “impressive” and the process “smooth,” even as a court injunction secured by Governor Alex Otti’s faction remained in force.

Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary of the Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), said supervision teams across the country reported positively on the exercise and reiterated the party’s commitment to strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He explained the schedule:

Ward Congresses: Tuesday, 2 December

Local Government Congresses: Thursday, 4 December

State Congresses: Saturday, 6 December

Abia State was excluded after an Abia State High Court temporarily halted the congresses pending the resolution of a suit challenging the state leadership.

Ifoh insisted the Abure faction was complying, even as its legal team works to have the order vacated.

Ifoh emphasized that the November 28 NEC meeting, attended by INEC officials, had resolved to democratize party leadership nationwide in accordance with electoral laws.

He urged Nigerians to support the party in its efforts to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 polls.

The spokesman also warned against internal sabotage, accusing unnamed actors of fomenting chaos and circulating false reports about a nationwide suspension of congresses.

“Publishing fake news that a court has cancelled Labour Party congresses nationwide is a crime and can attract dire consequences,” he said, warning those spreading misinformation to desist.

The Abure faction maintains that it is determined to move the party forward and will continue its congresses, leaving behind anyone unwilling to align with the process.

The current developments follow the Abia State High Court injunction obtained by the Otti faction on November 26 (Suit No. HIN/47/2025), which restrains Abure and his NWC from conducting purported ward, local government, and state congresses.

The Abure camp has dismissed the claim, arguing that the order applies only to Abia State.

The ongoing dispute comes amid a wider internal struggle, with the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Interim NWC recently submitting a 34-member leadership list to INEC, claiming it supersedes previous submissions by both factions.

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Banditry: Send Your Children To School, Emir Urges Fulani Parents

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Dailygazettenig
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The Emir of Jajere in Yobe State and Grand Patron of Tabital Pulaaku International (Nigeria Chapter), His Royal Highness Alhaji Mai Hamza Ibn Buba Mashio, has called on Fulani parents and community leaders to give priority to the education of their children.

Speaking during a meeting with Fulani leaders in Babbangida, Tarmuwa Local Government Area, the emir stressed that educated cattle rearers are far more productive than uneducated ones, urging the community to stop sending children to wander and work in the bush.

“Stop sending your kids to the bush to rear animals; send them to schools. No meaningful development will take place in our communities or societies without education.

“Things are changing in the whole world. For us to prepare ourselves to adapt to these changes and overcome them, and move on, we need to be really informed and educated about what is going on by sending our kids to schools and preventing them from roaming.

“Education is one of the critical pathways to development, empowerment and integration into Nigeria’s modern socio-economic system.”

The emir also cautioned against drug abuse, addiction, and other forms of immorality among Fulani youth, highlighting the importance of education in fostering development, social integration, and personal growth within the community.

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Rescued Kebbi, Niger Students Granted Two-Year Scholarship

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Dailygazettenig
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EduReach, an online education platform, has announced a two-year full scholarship for all students rescued from Kebbi and Niger States.

The initiative is aimed at helping abducted children overcome trauma and continue their education outside traditional classrooms.

Mamu Alhaji Muhammad, CEO of STEM Child Care Academy and founder of STEM-EduReach, explained in Abuja that the programme is designed not only to restore learning opportunities but also to support the psychological recovery of children who survived abductions.

“Rescued children face another challenge, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can hinder their return to learning,” Muhammad said.

“We have formally written to the respective state governments to extend this offer as part of our commitment to supporting the recovery and reintegration of these students into learning.”

The programme offers access to both Nigerian and Cambridge curricula, with emphasis on STEM subjects including robotics, coding, and artificial intelligence.

Lessons are delivered via pre-recorded videos by experienced educators, complemented with lesson notes, quizzes, assignments, live discussion forums, and personalised learning paths tailored to each student’s progress.

Muhammad warned that the recent school abductions in Kebbi and Niger, which forced school closures, could increase the number of out-of-school children.

“The abduction of schoolchildren risks swelling the ranks of out-of-school children, as these acts of terror are intended to instil fear and discourage parents from sending their children to school,” he said.

He added that flexible enrolment and self-paced learning would allow rescued students to continue their education at home, easing the pressure to return immediately to physical classrooms while coping with trauma.

“No child should be denied the right to safe, equitable, and quality education,” Muhammad emphasised, urging stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring that rescued children not only return to school but thrive in supportive learning environments.

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Insecurity: Tinubu Gives Fresh Directives To Service Chiefs

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Dailygazettenig
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday with the nation’s Service Chiefs as part of intensified efforts to tackle the rising insecurity across Nigeria.

Following the session, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the President had issued new directives and demanded improved results in the ongoing fight against insecurity.

The Service Chiefs arrived at the Presidential Villa around 5 pm, with the meeting running for nearly two hours.

The gathering came a day after Tinubu nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), as Minister of Defence, following the resignation of his predecessor, Abubakar Badaru.

Also present at the meeting were Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. General Akomaye Undiandeye; Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Last week, President Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency in response to a surge in kidnappings and killings across several states.

Measures he announced include the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers and the deployment of forest guards, alongside other security reforms.

Other attendees included Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General W. Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. Abbas.

Describing the meeting as “engaging,” General Oluyede noted that the President’s fresh directives are expected to strengthen nationwide security operations.

He also assured Nigerians that security agencies are enhancing coordination to ensure peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

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BREAKING: Five Rivers Varsity Students Kidnapped By Gunmen

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Dailygazettenig
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Gunmen, believed to be cultists, have kidnapped five students of Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, from their off-campus residence in Emuoha Local Government Area.

The abducted students were based at the Emuoha satellite campus, which has been the site of repeated attacks and harassment by hoodlums.

Prior to the incident, the students had protested to the school management, requesting relocation to the main campus in Port Harcourt for safety.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the abduction, describing the suspects as cultists.

She explained that the attackers opened fire multiple times before taking the students to an unknown location.

Tactical police units have been deployed to rescue the abducted students and apprehend the culprits. SP Iringe-Koko said:

“They were abducted by cultists. In the early hours of Tuesday, a group of five cultists stormed an isolated area of Rumuchi/Rumuohia, shot, and abducted five persons to an unknown destination. Efforts are ongoing for their safe rescue. The Commissioner of Police is on-site with tactical teams to ensure they regain their freedom.”

One of the students who managed to escape described a harrowing encounter with the gunmen. She said the attackers stormed the residence around 2 am, killing the security dog.

She called her father, who reached out to the Emuoha Police Division, but reported that no immediate response came.

The student recounted:

“He was running after me and even shot at me. I don’t know how many times. I couldn’t even look back because I was focused on escaping. The attacker eventually returned to my compound, but someone from the bush pursued me. I had to run faster to the gate of the person who was supposed to open it for me. Some of our students, about four or so, are still missing now.”

Authorities are continuing investigations, and efforts to locate the missing students remain ongoing.

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Emefiele: Omoile’s Statements In $4.5bn Fraud Trial Were Voluntary, EFCC Witness Says

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Dailygazettenig
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, that Henry Omoile, the second defendant in the ongoing $4.5 billion fraud trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, voluntarily made his statements and was not under duress.

Emefiele faces a 19-count charge involving receiving gratification and corrupt demands, while Omoile faces three counts relating to the unlawful acceptance of gifts by an agent. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

At proceedings resumed yesterday, EFCC witness Alvan Gurumnaan testified during a trial-within-trial, emphasizing that EFCC officers are trained professionals who do not use threats, violence, or intimidation to extract statements.

“The second defendant did not make any statement under duress. Our officers do not force statements through violence,” Gurumnaan said.

He added that there was no video recording of Omoile’s statements but insisted that it is the defendant’s responsibility to prove duress if claimed.

During the last sitting on 9 October 2025, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) sought to tender Omoile’s extra-judicial statements as evidence.

This was opposed by the second defendant’s counsel, Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), who argued that the statements were involuntary.

Consequently, Justice Oshodi ordered a trial-within-trial to determine the voluntariness of the statements.

Gurumnaan, formerly of the EFCC Special Operations Unit in Lagos and now based in Abuja, narrated that Omoile made his statements in the Commission’s conference room on the first floor of Block A, EFCC Lagos Directorate 1, Ikoyi.

He described it as an open, spacious room used by the Special Operations Team.

“EFCC operatives are trained to take statements without threat or duress. The statements were taken openly. There is no way we could have done that under threat,” he said, expressing surprise that Omoile later objected to the statements.

The witness confirmed that Omoile appeared at the EFCC office on 26 February 2024 with the Acting MD of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS) and his lawyer, Mr. E. N. Offiong.

Four statements were admitted as Exhibits 1 to 4 in the mini trial: three were taken on 26 February 2024, and one on 27 February 2024.

Gurumnaan confirmed that Omoile was in custody when making the statements.

“The cautionary words were administered by Mr Azeez Ajigbotosho, a member of my team. The statements were signed by the second defendant. He wrote, ‘I am making this statement in the presence of my lawyer, Offiong,’” Gurumnaan said.

Although one statement did not explicitly reflect the lawyer’s presence, Gurumnaan maintained that Barrister Offiong was present on both days and tendered the EFCC visitors’ register as evidence.

During cross-examination by defence counsels Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Kotoye Adeyinka (SAN), Gurumnaan admitted that there was no video recording of Omoile’s statements, despite this being part of EFCC’s standard procedure.

He explained that certain circumstances sometimes make video recording impossible but confirmed that he and his team attended to the defendant properly.

After the cross-examination, Justice Oshodi adjourned the continuation of the trial-within-trial to Thursday, 15 January, and Friday, 16 January 2026.

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Gov. Mbah Presents N1.62 Trillion 2026 Budget Of ‘Renewed Momentum’ To Enugu Assembly

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Dailygazettenig
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Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Tuesday presented a record N1.62 trillion 2026 budget to the Enugu State House of Assembly, describing it as the “Budget of Renewed Momentum.”

The budget marks a 66.5% increase over the revised 2025 budget of N971 billion and reflects the administration’s shift from laying foundations to scaling transformation across all sectors.

Dubbed the Budget of Renewed Momentum, it comprises a Capital Expenditure of N1,296,092,465,000 (80% of the total) and a Recurrent Component of N321,305,000,000 (20%), totaling N1,617,397,465,000.

Governor Mbah said the budget would be funded through N870 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), N387 billion from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and N329 billion in Capital Receipts.

Sectoral Allocations

  • Economic Sector: N825.9 billion (51%)
  • Social Sector: N644.7 billion (40.1%)
  • Administration: N128 billion
  • Justice: N15.8 billion
  • Regional Development: N2 billion

“Allocating N825.9 billion to the Economic Sector is strategic and deliberate. When we invest in agriculture, industry, and trade, we create jobs, reduce poverty, and generate revenue that strengthens the entire economy.”

“The performance of this sector remains central to our vision of achieving a seven-fold GDP growth in Enugu State,” the governor explained.

Key Projects and Initiatives

Infrastructure & Roads:

  • Construction of 1,200 urban roads and additional rural roads
  • Completion of the 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway
  • Dualisation of Abakpa Nike–Ugwogo Nike–Ekwegbe–Opi-Nsukka Road
  • Completion of the 21.65-kilometre Enugu–Abakaliki Expressway

Transportation:

  • Acquisition of 14 additional aircraft to expand Enugu Air’s fleet to 20, with three arriving before the end of 2025
  • Construction of five new transport terminals in Emene, Udi, Awgu, Four-Corners (Ozalla), and Obollo-Afor

Housing:

  • 15% of the budget earmarked for 15,000 mass housing units
  • Continued development of New Enugu City

Agriculture:

  • Construction of 20-hectare Farm Estates in all 260 wards of the state, some already underway

Social Sector:

  • Education receives 32.27% of the total budget, continuing the pattern of previous years
  • Focus on Smart Secondary Schools and Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Colleges
    “There are some, who might look at what we spend on education and cringe. But what we spend currently on education is largely insignificant weighed against the future social cost of having a disproportionate population of out-of-school children,” he explained.

Other Priorities:

  • Gratuities: N20 billion allocated to clear longstanding staff entitlements
  • Security: N11 billion for the second phase of the administration’s surveillance system
  • Health: 10% of total budget

On 2025 budget execution, Governor Mbah said:
“This means that we utilized 97.5 per cent of all the money that came into the state and achieved 83 per cent of the total budget implementation as against the revised budget of N871 billion.”

He added on revenue performance:
“The money coming into Enugu State has grown in ways we have never seen before. Our internally generated revenue is set to exceed ₦400 billion by the end of the year. It is not yet where we ultimately want to be, but it is already the highest IGR in the history of Enugu State – a 221.6% increase over 2024.”

He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies:
“Our FAAC inflow did not just meet expectations – it exceeded them by more than half. We projected about ₦150 billion but we received ₦230 billion – over 50 per cent above projection. This is not accidental. It reflects the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold economic reforms.”

“The removal of fuel subsidies, unification of foreign exchange rate and other fiscal measures have strengthened key macro indicators – inflation has declined and continues to trend downwardly, interest rates have eased, and the exchange rate has stabilised. And our foreign reserve has continued to be strengthened, and recently hit the $46 billion mark.”

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