Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, presented a N939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly during a plenary session in Benin City.
According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, the session was presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku.
While presenting the budget estimates, Governor Okpebholo commended the Speaker and members of the House for their cooperation, which he said ensured the successful implementation of the 2025 budget and delivered tangible benefits to the people of the state.
The governor noted that the 2025 fiscal year recorded strong performance in both capital and recurrent expenditure, with Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improving significantly following the blocking of leakages and the strengthening of revenue collection systems.
He said these achievements informed the priorities of the 2026 fiscal plan.
On security, Okpebholo said his administration remains determined to rid Edo State of criminal elements.
He recalled that before he assumed office, the state witnessed widespread cult killings, kidnapping, robbery, and cybercrime, with over 300 cult-related deaths recorded in 2024 alone.
To tackle the challenge, he said the government enacted a stronger anti-cultism law, procured 80 Hilux patrol vehicles and 400 motorcycles for security agencies, and recruited, trained, and absorbed 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps.
These measures, he noted, have significantly reduced insecurity across the state.
In the health sector, the governor said his administration is rebuilding a collapsed system, with the construction of new Primary Healthcare Centres, the provision of diagnostic equipment, and the ongoing construction of a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central.
On infrastructure, Okpebholo disclosed that 28 new road projects spanning 255 kilometres have been awarded, including the construction of two flyovers at Ramat Park and Sapele Road by Adesuwa Junction in Benin City, the first flyovers in the history of Edo State.
He added that several community roads are also under construction to improve connectivity.
The governor said agriculture has received a major boost, with the sector’s budget increased from N6.9 billion to N57 billion, following encouragement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He revealed that over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated, with harvesting already underway across multiple farm clusters to address food insecurity.
In the education sector, Okpebholo announced the recruitment of 5,000 permanent teachers and the upgrade of 63 schools to modern standards, with more schools currently undergoing upgrades.
He also disclosed a sharp increase in monthly subventions to tertiary institutions, raising Ambrose Alli University’s allocation from N41 million to N500 million, and Edo State University, Iyamoh, from N25 million to N250 million.
On economic growth and job creation, the governor said his administration inherited both local and foreign debts but has begun a gradual process of reducing the debt burden.
He disclosed that more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, alongside the introduction of a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders.
Addressing governance and institutional reforms, Okpebholo said public trust has been restored through the swearing-in of three previously sidelined judges, the re-establishment of customary courts, and the strengthening of traditional institutions to promote cooperation across all levels of government.
He explained that the N939.85 billion 2026 budget comprises N637 billion (68 per cent) for capital expenditure and N302 billion (32 per cent) for recurrent expenditure, reflecting the administration’s focus on visible, people-centred development.
The governor said the budget will be funded through projected IGR of N160 billion, FAAC allocations of N480 billion, capital receipts and grants of N153 billion, Public-Private Partnerships valued at N146 billion, and other revenue sources available to the state.
Sectoral allocations show that the economic sector received the highest share of N614.2 billion, followed by the social sector with N148.9 billion, the administration sector with N157.7 billion, and the justice sector with N19 billion. Additional provisions were also made for regional development and support to local government councils.
Governor Okpebholo said the 2026 Budget of Hope and Growth is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda, Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education, and is designed to build a prosperous and united Edo State where citizens can feel the direct impact of governance.
The plenary session was attended by several dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.; former deputy governors, a former Secretary to the State Government, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and members of the media.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reforms that have boosted revenue flows to states and thanked the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly, traditional and religious leaders, political appointees, and civil servants for their support.
He thereafter formally laid the 2026 Appropriation Bill before the House for consideration and approval.
