Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday presented a ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
Presenting the budget estimates, Okpebholo commended the Speaker and members of the Assembly for their cooperation and support, which he said ensured the successful implementation of the 2025 Budget and translated into tangible benefits for the people of Edo State.
According to the governor, the 2025 Budget recorded strong performance in both capital and recurrent expenditure, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improved significantly due to the blocking of leakages and the strengthening of revenue collection systems.
On security, Okpebholo said his administration was determined to ensure that Edo State is no longer a safe haven for criminals.
In the health sector, the governor said his administration is rebuilding a collapsed system from the ground up, with the construction of new Primary Health Centres across the state, the provision of diagnostic equipment, and the ongoing construction of a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that his administration awarded 28 new road projects totaling 255 kilometres, including the construction of two flyovers in Benin City at Ramat Park and Sapele Road by Adesuwa Junction, the first in the history of Edo State.
He added that several community roads are also under construction to improve connectivity across the state, saying agriculture has received a major boost, with the sector’s budget expanded from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion, following encouragement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the education sector, Okpebholo said his administration recruited 5,000 permanent teachers and upgraded 63 schools to modern standards, with more upgrades ongoing.
He also announced a significant increase in monthly subventions to tertiary institutions, raising Ambrose Alli University’s allocation from ₦41 million to ₦500 million, and Edo State University, Iyamoh, from ₦25 million to ₦250 million.
On economic growth and job creation, the governor said the administration inherited both foreign and local debts but has begun the gradual process of reducing the debt burden. He disclosed that over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, alongside the launch of a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders.
Speaking on governance and institutional reforms, Okpebholo said public trust has been restored through the swearing-in of three judges who were previously sidelined, the re-establishment of customary courts, and the strengthening of traditional institutions to foster cooperation across all levels of government.
He explained that the ₦939.85 billion 2026 budget comprises ₦637 billion (68 per cent) for capital expenditure and ₦302 billion (32 per cent) for recurrent expenditure, reflecting the administration’s commitment to visible and people-centered development.
The governor said the budget will be funded through projected Internally Generated Revenue of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, capital receipts and grants of ₦153 billion, Public-Private Partnerships valued at ₦146 billion, and other revenue windows available to the state.
Sectoral allocations show that the economic sector received the largest share of ₦614.2 billion, while the social sector was allocated ₦148.9 billion, the administration sector ₦157.7 billion, and the justice sector ₦19 billion.
The governor said the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda (Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education) and is designed to build a prosperous, united Edo State where every citizen feels the impact of governance.
