Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has presented a N1.39 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 financial year to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a people-driven spending plan shaped by citizens across the 10 federal constituencies.
The appropriation bill, titled The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth, represents a N260 billion drop from the revised 2025 budget. A statement released on Tuesday on the state government’s website confirmed the figures.
According to the breakdown, capital expenditure takes 75 percent of the proposal, amounting to N1.035 trillion, while recurrent expenditure stands at N354.8 billion.
Eno said the capital-heavy plan is aimed at boosting infrastructure, job creation and general economic activity in the coming year.
“We designed this budget to accelerate and stimulate economic activities in our state,” he said while addressing lawmakers.
A sector review shows major allocations, including N387.5 billion for roads and infrastructure, N31.6 billion for education and N136.1 billion for health. The governor added that inputs from the recent town square meetings guided the spending priorities.
“The outcome of this budget is based on citizens’ input documents as submitted to the government during the State-Wide Town Square Meetings or Needs Assessment. In other words, it is a citizens-oriented budget,” Eno said.
He urged the Assembly to give the bill urgent consideration. “I urge you to quickly pass this budget so we may continue to work for our people,” he appealed.
Eno also thanked Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy, saying the policy has strengthened state revenues. “I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for that bold act he took by removing the petroleum subsidy which today has made it possible for states to have more funds and resources to execute both recurrent and capital projects,” he stated.
Reviewing his administration’s progress, Eno said ongoing work spans agriculture, rural development, education, security, healthcare, tourism, SMEs, sports and housing, adding that the state has carried out these projects without borrowing.
“We are undertaking bold and audacious projects without borrowing and have earmarked resources to complete all the projects we have initiated,” he noted.
He also said 69,107 farmers have benefitted from the state’s agricultural programmes, while 13,060 registered farmers received processing equipment.
Plans underway include a palm tree crop expansion, a new tractor leasing scheme and upgrades at AKADEP. He promised balanced development across all 31 local government areas under the ARISE Agenda.
“We remain intentional in ensuring that there are ongoing projects in all the 31 local government areas,” he said.
Responding, Speaker of the House, Elder Udeme Otong, commended the proposal and assured thorough oversight. “Our aim is not merely to approve figures, but to ensure efficient allocation of resources, elimination of waste, and duplication,” he said.
