Abia Governor, Dr Alex Otti has presented the 2026 Budget Estimate of one trillion,sixteen billion, two hundred and twenty eight million , seventy two thousand,six hundred and fifty one naira, ninety nine kobo before the State House of Assembly.
Presenting the budget christened “Budget of Acceleration and new possibilities” Governor Otti said the budget with 13% increase from the 2025 budget, allocated eight hundred and eleven billion to capital expenditure and two hundred and four billion, four hundred and fourteen million naira to recurrent expenditure representing 80% and 20% of the total budget respectively.
Governor Otti pointed out that the 13% increase from the 2025 appropriation law indicated his administration’s ambition to drive rapid socioeconomic growth and sustained development through investments in infrastructural projects, social services and security, with the Health and education sectors gulping 35% of the total budget as has been the case for three consecutive years.
“A total outlay of N811.8 billion for capital projects represents a 32% jump from our 2025 proposal which stood at N726.4billion.
“Conversely, the size of the envelope for recurrent expenditure has been raised by 33% from last year’s figure which stood at N136 billion. The increase is to enable us support critical day-to-day administrative functions and effectively meet our obligations to personnel especially with the addition of thousands of new employees to the payroll”, Gov. Otti stated
The Governor said that one hundred and fifty billion naira will be committed to offsetting recurrent expenditure including paying the salaries of about fifteen thousand teachers working in both primary and secondary schools, adding that provisions have equally been made for the building of 17 model primary and secondary schools in addition to 3 technical Colleges for vocational training programmes.
The Governor said that the combined revenue projection from internal and external sources stands at six hundred and seven billion naira while the balance of four hundred and nine billion representing 40% of the entire budget outlay would be sourced from the loan markets at concessionary rates.
He noted that, with the recent strides recorded in infrastructural development and the leap in investors’ confidence, the State projects an increase in the State’s IGR portfolio to N223.4 billion and announced that, “the target for 2026 is that all recurrent expenditures shall be funded from the IGR receipt.
“As I announced on this same podium in 2023 and 2024, we shall borrow only when it is absolutely necessary and such funds shall be deployed only for the execution of projects that will ultimately liquidate the loans in medium to long term”, Gov. Otti stated.
He assured that the administration will continue its aggressive road infrastructure development programme as the sum of one hundred and sixty nine billion representing 16.7% of the total budget has been budgeted for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
“We shall expectedly continue with our aggressive road infrastructure development programme in 2026. To this effect, the sum of N169.3 billion representing 16.7% of the total envelope has been budgeted for road construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation and maintenance through the Ministry of Works. This sum shall be applied to the execution of the key projects we have outlined for 2026; these include the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende Road, Umuahia-Umueze-Agwu-Mbom Road, Nkata-Amaeke Road, Agbo-Umueze Road, Umueze Mbom Road, Umuoji Road, Mgboko Road, Amauzukwu-Mbom Road and several other roads that directly impact the livelihood of our people in different communities,” he announced.
On transpirtation, the Governor stated, “In line with our vision of transforming the public transport system, we have proposed to commit N11.1 billion to the sector in the new financial year. Of this sum, N6 billion shall be committed to the acquisition of 80 additional units of 40-seater electric-powered buses for urban mass transit. We have also made provisions for the completion of the inter-modular transport terminals; junction improvement works and bus shelters which we estimate would come into operations by the second quarter of 2026. As you may be aware, the first set of 20 customised electric buses has been delivered and shall begin operations shortly.”
He lauded the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly for the support given to him in his efforts to improve on the lives of Abians , assuring his commitment to making lives better for the people.
Responding the Speaker Abia House of Assembly Chief Emmanuel Emeruwa while noting that the event marks a major milestone for the 2026 fiscal year , assured that the 8th Assembly will give the budget accelerated consideration and passage to enable the Governor to improve and consolidate on the gains recorded by his administration in the past two years
