Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Tuesday presented a N1.39 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, titled “The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth”, to the State House of Assembly. The proposed budget marks a 16 per cent decrease (N260 billion) from the revised 2025 budget, according to a statement posted on the state government’s website.
The budget is capital-focused, with 75 per cent (N1.035 trillion) allocated to capital expenditure and 25 per cent (N354.867 billion) to recurrent spending. Governor Eno said the capital-heavy plan is designed to accelerate and stimulate economic activities across the state in 2026.
Sectoral allocations include N387.5 billion for roads and infrastructure, N31.6 billion for education, and N136.1 billion for healthcare. The governor noted that the budget was informed by citizen input collected during state-wide Town Square Meetings across the 10 federal constituencies, emphasizing that it is citizens-oriented.
“I urge you to quickly pass this budget so we may continue to work for our people,” Eno appealed to lawmakers. He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has increased state revenues and enabled the funding of both capital and recurrent projects.
Reviewing his administration’s performance, the governor highlighted achievements across key sectors including agriculture, rural development, education, security, healthcare, tourism, SMEs, sports, and housing, emphasizing that these projects have been undertaken without borrowing.
He detailed gains in agriculture: “69,107 farmers have benefited from our agricultural revolution, and 13,060 registered farmers have received processing machines and equipment.” He also pointed to upcoming initiatives such as the palm tree crop revolution, tractor leasing programme, and upgrades to AKADEP.
In line with the ARISE Agenda, Eno assured development across all 31 LGAs, including model primary schools, healthcare centres, feeder roads, wet markets, water projects, and electricity improvements.
Speaker of the House, Elder Udeme Otong, commended the budget, describing it as consistent with the state’s development blueprint. He pledged rigorous legislative scrutiny to ensure efficient allocation of resources, elimination of waste, and avoidance of duplication.
The budget will undergo legislative review in the coming weeks.
