Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru on Tuesday presented a total budget estimate of ₦884.868 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
Christened the “Budget of Actualisation and Hope,” the governor said it is designed to accelerate infrastructure expansion, strengthen human capital, and consolidate ongoing reforms across key sectors.
Presenting the Appropriation Bill at the Assembly complex, Governor Nwifuru said the budget was crafted in strict alignment with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy and reflects priorities gathered from citizens across the state.
With a capital outlay of ₦749.49 billion—representing 84.7% of the total budget—and a recurrent expenditure of ₦135.37 billion, the governor said the proposal would drive industrialisation, deepen economic recovery, and improve the living standards of Ebonyians.
Nwifuru recalled the inherited debts, unsettled pensions, and longstanding financial obligations his administration met on assumption of office, noting that thousands of pensioners had now received their long-awaited gratuities.
“We restored not just their financial stability but their dignity,” he said, praising the State Assembly for its consistent legislative support.
Highlighting achievements in the 2025 fiscal year, the governor said over 5,000 Ebonyians benefitted from the state’s empowerment programme, receiving between ₦1 million and ₦100 million to support entrepreneurship, trading, and artisanal work. He added that vocational and agribusiness training had equipped many youths and women with life-changing skills.
“We are building not just roads and schools, but resilient people empowered to be globally competitive,” he said.
Nwifuru also disclosed that the state had achieved significant progress in education, including: Establishment of the University of ICT, Oferekpe, with over 20 accredited courses; Commencement of the University of Aeronautic Engineering, Ezza, positioning the state as a new hub in aviation technology; Construction of 43 model secondary schools equipped with ICT laboratories, libraries, and solar power; Award of over 1,000 scholarships for local and international postgraduate studies—the largest in the state’s history.
The governor reiterated that pregnant women now enjoy free maternal care statewide, while emergency medical response has improved with the deployment of fully equipped ambulances. He added that the administration had upgraded general hospitals, recruited additional health workers, and revived the drug revolving fund to ensure the availability of essential medicines.
On agriculture, Nwifuru highlighted the mechanisation of farming across the 13 LGAs, distribution of fertilizers, and support for cooperative farmers. He announced ongoing construction of the Ebonyi Feed Mill and the revitalisation of the Nkaliki Hatchery, expected to create 2,000 jobs.
Reporting on infrastructure, the governor said major projects had recorded significant progress, including: The VANCO Flyover and Tunnel, described as a transformative urban project for Abakaliki; Completion of the Iziogo Tunnel; Ongoing works at the Nwezenyi and Nwofe Junction flyovers; Rehabilitation of township roads, rural feeder roads, and bridges across the state.
He commended security agencies for maintaining peace and said the demarcation of the Effium–Alioma boundary was underway to consolidate lasting peace.
The governor also confirmed progress on the Ebonyi Industrial City, the state-owned cement factory, and the reactivated Waste-to-Wealth Plant in Umuoghara—all geared towards job creation and economic diversification.
He noted further that the administration had revived key water schemes, including Oferekpe, Abakaliki Lowlift, and Ezillo, while new reservoirs and reticulation works are underway in Iboko and Ivo.
According to the budget proposal, allocations are as follows: Administrative Sector: ₦137.37bn (15.52%); Economic Sector: ₦492.93bn (55.71%); Law and Justice Sector: ₦5.03bn (0.57%); Regional Sector: ₦1.56bn (0.18%); Social Sector: ₦247.97bn (28.02%).
Governor Nwifuru said the budget reflects “determination, discipline, and sincerity” despite national economic challenges. He urged the lawmakers to give the bill accelerated consideration, stressing that the goal is to lift Ebonyi higher and ensure that every citizen feels the impact of governance.
