Gov Okpebholo Presents ₦939.85bn 2026 Budget to Edo Assembly

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, presented a ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly.

Presenting the budget at a plenary presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, Okpebholo praised the Assembly for its cooperation, noting that the successful implementation of the 2025 Budget recorded strong capital and recurrent performance, alongside improved Internally Generated Revenue due to blocked leakages.

The governor said insecurity, which previously claimed over 300 lives through cult-related violence in 2024, has reduced following the passage of a stronger anti-cultism law, the provision of 80 Hilux patrol vehicles and 400 motorcycles, and the recruitment of 2,500 personnel into the Edo State Security Corps.

In the health sector, he said new Primary Health Centres are being built across the state, while a 150-bed Specialist Hospital is under construction in Edo Central. Infrastructure development includes 28 road projects totaling 255 kilometres and the construction of two flyovers in Benin City—the first in the state’s history.

Agriculture funding increased from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion, with over 400 hectares of farmland cultivated, while the education sector recorded the recruitment of 5,000 teachers and the upgrade of 63 schools. Subventions to tertiary institutions were also raised, with Ambrose Alli University now receiving ₦500 million monthly and Edo State University, Iyamoh, ₦250 million.

Okpebholo disclosed that over 10,000 jobs have been created and announced a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for traders and market women.

The budget allocates ₦637 billion (68%) to capital expenditure and ₦302 billion (32%) to recurrent spending. Funding sources include ₦160 billion in IGR, ₦480 billion from FAAC, ₦153 billion in grants and capital receipts, and ₦146 billion through Public-Private Partnerships.

Sectoral allocations show ₦614.2 billion for the economic sector, ₦148.9 billion for the social sector, ₦157.7 billion for administration, and ₦19 billion for the justice sector.

The governor said the budget aligns with his administration’s SHINE Agenda and is aimed at driving growth, security and inclusive development in Edo State.

He formally presented the bill to the House for consideration and approval.