Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru on Tuesday, presented a total budget proposal 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 aims to accelerate infrastructure expansion, strengthen human capital, and consolidate ongoing reforms across key sectors.
Gov. Nwifuru said the budget was crafted in strict alignment with his administration’s philosophy, noting that it reflects the priorities and aspirations 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 elevate the standard of living for Ebonyians.
Gov. Nwifuru recalled the inherited debts, unsettled pensions, and longstanding financial obligations that confronted the administration 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 from the 2025 fiscal year, Gov. Nwifuru said over 5,000 Ebonyians benefitted from the state’s empowerment programme, receiving between ₦1million and ₦100 million to support entrepreneurship, trading, and artisanal work.
He added that vocational and agribusiness training has 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.
The governor disclosed that Ebonyi State had achieved a historic leap in educational development.
The administration, he noted, has also upgraded general hospitals, recruited additional health workers, and revived the drug revolving fund to ensure the availability of essential medicines.
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The governor highlighted the mechanisation of farming across the 13 local government areas, the distribution of fertilizers, and support to cooperative farmers.
He announced the ongoing construction of a feed mill and the revitalisation of the Nkaliki Hatchery, which is expected to create 2,000 jobs.
On infrastructure, Nwifuru reported significant progress on major projects, and in the security sector, he commended security agencies for maintaining the peace and announced that 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.
Gov. Nwifuru said the administration had revived key water schemes, including the Oferekpe, Abakaliki Lowlift, and Ezill, while new reservoirs and reticulation works are underway in Iboko and Ivo.
According to the proposal, the administrative sector will get ₦137.37bn (15.52%) while the economic sector will get ₦492.93bn (55.71%)
The law and justice sector will get ₦5.03bn (0.57%), the regional sector, ₦1.56bn (0.18%), and the social sector, ₦247.97bn (28.02%).
Gov. Nwifuru said the budget reflects “determination, discipline, and sincerity” despite national economic challenges.
While urging the lawmakers to give the bill accelerated consideration, the governor said the goal is to lift the state higher and ensure that every citizen feels the impact of the government.
