The Edo State House of Assembly has received the 2026 Appropriation Bill from the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who presented a ₦939,850,000,000 (Nine hundred and thirty nine billion, eight hundred and fifty million) “Budget of Hope and Growth” aimed at consolidating gains recorded in 2025 and accelerating development across the state.
Governor Okpebholo thanked the Speaker and lawmakers for their cooperation, noting that strong collaboration led to improved performance in the 2025 Budget, including increased Internally Generated Revenue through blocked leakages and stronger revenue systems.
He highlighted key achievements in security, revealing that his administration tackled rising cultism, kidnapping and robbery through a stronger anti-cultism law, procurement of 80 patrol vehicles and 400 motorcycles, and the recruitment of 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, efforts he said have significantly reduced crime.
In healthcare, the Governor announced the rebuilding of the State’s health system with new Primary Health Centres, modern diagnostic equipment and the construction of a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central.
On infrastructure, he disclosed that 28 road projects covering 255 kilometres have been awarded, including the construction of two flyovers in Benin City at Ramat Park and Sapele Road/Adesuwa Junction.
Agriculture received a major boost, with the sector’s budget expanded from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion. Over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated as part of efforts to tackle food insecurity.
In education, Governor Okpebholo announced the recruitment of 5,000 teachers, the upgrade of 63 schools, and increased subventions to State universities, including Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Edo State University, Iyamoh.
The Governor also revealed the creation of over 10,000 jobs and the launch of a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders.
The 2026 Budget proposes ₦637 billion (68%) for capital expenditure and ₦302 billion (32%) for recurrent expenditure. Funding sources include IGR, FAAC allocations, grants, capital receipts, and Public-Private partnerships.
Sectoral allocations include ₦614.2 billion for the Economic Sector, ₦148.9 billion for the Social Sector, ₦157.7 billion for the Administration Sector and ₦19 billion for the Justice Sector.
Governor Okpebholo said the budget is anchored on the SHINE Agenda, Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education and is designed to deliver visible benefits and restore public confidence in governance.
Responding, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly commended Governor Okpebholo for presenting what he described as a people-oriented Budget of Hope and Growth. He noted that the achievements recorded in the last year had laid a solid foundation for sustained development, expressing confidence that the proposed 2026 budget would further accelerate growth, deepen socio-economic progress, and deliver greater dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State in the year ahead.
