Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State on Tuesday presented a N1.39 trillion budget for the 2026 financial year to the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, outlining spending plans aimed at expanding growth and improving living conditions across the state.
He explained that the budget consists of N354.87 billion for recurrent expenditure and N1.035 trillion for capital expenditure, noting that it represents a 16 per cent reduction from the revised 2025 budget of N1.65 trillion.
He added that total capital receipts and expenditure for 2026 were projected at N1.15 trillion, compared with the revised N897.14 billion approved for 2025. The governor stated that the 2026 budget, titled “The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth,” was designed to strengthen food security and sufficiency through mechanised agriculture, increased small-holder production, and value chain development.
He also announced a projected recurrent revenue of N1.17 trillion for 2026, representing a nine per cent decline from the 2025 estimate of N1.26 trillion. According to him, N791.98 billion in capital receipts would be transferred from the consolidated revenue fund, while the remaining N243.16 billion would come from other sources.
Governor Eno said the budget would enhance the income-earning capacity of rural households through home farm schemes, wider access to farm inputs, improved credit and extension services, and agro-processing support. He emphasised that the policy focus of the budget was to improve living standards in rural communities, with plans to electrify rural areas, upgrade and build rural roads, and renovate primary healthcare centres.
He noted that the government would complete ongoing flagship projects involving roads, bridges, aviation, and health facilities, while initiating new projects deemed vital for connectivity, trade, investment, and job creation. He urged the Assembly to fast-track the passage of the budget to enable the government to deliver democracy dividends to the people.
In his remarks, Speaker Udeme Otong called on ministries, departments, and agencies to cooperate fully by providing all necessary information during the budget review process. He said, “We pledge to do a thorough job and ensure the speedy passage of the budget. The House shall scrutinise the budget with diligence, patriotism, and fairness. The essence is to ensure that it aligns with the state’s long-term development blueprint. Our job is not to approve figures, but to ensure efficient allocation, eliminate waste and duplication, and strengthen fiscal discipline.”
