Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has signed into law the 2026 Appropriation Bill totaling N1,584,271,856,630, following its passage by the state House of Assembly.
The 2026 budget comprises N416.59 billion for recurrent expenditure and N1.167 trillion for capital projects.
Gov. Eno signed the bill on Monday during an enlarged meeting of the State Executive Council at the Government House, Uyo.
He praised the cordial working relationship between the executive and the legislature, attributing the state’s achievements in the past year to the collaboration between the two arms of government.
The governor charged members of the executive council to demonstrate total commitment to service delivery, stressing that excuses for non-performance would no longer be tolerated.
“This year is not a year for excuses; it is a year for action,” Gov. Eno said.
“We must rededicate ourselves to delivering our tasks promptly and decisively. Let us break all barriers, go the extra mile, and deliver. When we do, we can celebrate and be recognised.”
Earlier, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, commended the governor’s transparency and inclusive approach to governance.
He noted that over 80 percent of the 2025 budget had been implemented, assuring of continued legislative support for the executive.
“You have implemented over 80 percent of the 2025 budget, and the House of Assembly remains ready to collaborate with the executive so that the people will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy,” Otong said.
Briefing journalists after the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Linus Nkan, alongside the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, explained that the original 2026 budget proposal of N1.39 trillion, presented to the House on November 25, 2025, was reviewed upward after legislative scrutiny.
Nkan said the adjustments made during budget defence by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) resulted in an increase of N194 billion, bringing the final budget size to N1.584 trillion.
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He said recurrent expenditure rose from the initially proposed N354 billion to N416.5 billion, while capital expenditure increased from N1.035 trillion to N1.167 trillion.
“We now have a total budget size of N1.584 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year, which we believe will stimulate economic growth and drive development in Akwa Ibom State,” Nkan stated.
Meanwhile, Gov. Eno also presented an award of excellence to the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Anieti Udofia, who emerged as commissioner of the year, in recognition of his leadership and dedication, particularly in the success of the recently concluded Christmas Unplugged 3.0.
The governor announced a cash reward of N20 million for the commissioner, N100 million for members of the event’s planning committee, and approved a one-week leave for Udofia.
