REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Governor Alex Otti Abia State has presented the proposed 2026 Budget estimate of over one trillion naira to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
Presenting the appropriation bill on the floor of the House in Umuahia, Governor Otti explained that the proposed budget captured the scale of his administration’s ambition to drive rapid socioeconomic growth and sustained development.
According to Governor Otti, the budget, christened “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities,” reflects a 13% increase from the 2025 appropriation and is designed to fast-track infrastructural expansion, deepen social services, strengthen security and consolidate ongoing economic reforms.
The Governor explained that eighty percent of the entire budget, amounting to over eight hundred billion naira would be earmarked for capital expenditure, while over two hundred billion naira representing twenty percent of the budget would be committed to recurrent expenditures.
Governor Otti who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Education, pledged 20 percent of the budget to that sector, amounting to over two billion naira.
He explained that over 150 billion naira would go into salaries for about 15,000 teachers and the construction of 17 Model Primary and Secondary Schools, three Technical Colleges, Staff quarters and ICT Laboratories in more than 100 public schools.
The Governor stated that over two hundred billion has been earmarked for interventions across entrepreneurship development, Agriculture, Sports, ICT, Women and Youth Empowerment, Lands and Housing development, Urban Renewal and Cultural Renaissance.
Governor Otti announced a target of over two hundred billion naira as IGR for 2026
Responding, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr Emmanuel Emeruwa commended the vision behind the 2026 fiscal proposal, describing it as a forward-looking instrument that aligns with the State’s recovery path and effort to lift the State out of the difficult situation it met in 2023.
Mr Emeruwa assured the Governor that the House would give the budget proposal the consideration it deserves.
