November 25, (THEWILL) — Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, on Tuesday, unveiled a comprehensive budget estimate of N884.868 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
Dubbed “Budget of Actualisation and Hope”, the governor articulated that it aspires to expedite infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and fortify ongoing reforms across pivotal sectors.
In his presentation of the Appropriation Bill at the State Assembly complex, Governor Nwifuru emphasised that the budget was meticulously formulated in strict accordance with his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs philosophy.
He remarked that it encapsulates the priorities and aspirations gleaned from citizens throughout the state.
With a capital allocation of N749.49 billion, constituting 84.7% of the total budget, alongside a recurrent expenditure of N135.37 billion, the governor asserted that the proposal would catalyse industrialisation, foster economic recovery, and elevate the standard of living for the people of Ebonyi.
Governor Nwifuru reflected on the inherited debts, unresolved pensions, and longstanding financial commitments that beset the administration upon taking office, noting that numerous pensioners have now received their long-awaited gratuities.
“We restored not just their financial stability but their dignity”, he stated, commending the State Assembly for its unwavering legislative support.
In highlighting accomplishments from the 2025 fiscal year, Nwifuru reported that over 5,000 Ebonyians benefited from the state’s empowerment initiative, receiving between N1 million and N100 million to bolster entrepreneurship, commerce, and artisanal endeavours.
He further noted that vocational and agribusiness training has endowed many youths and women with transformative skills.
“We are constructing not merely roads and schools, but resilient individuals empowered to compete on a global scale”, he asserted.
The governor disclosed that Ebonyi State has made significant strides in educational advancement.
He enumerated some of these achievements: the establishment of the University of ICT, Oferekpe, with over 20 accredited courses; the inauguration of the University of Aeronautic Engineering, Ezza, positioning the state as an emerging hub in aviation technology; the construction of 43 model secondary schools equipped with ICT laboratories, libraries, and solar energy; and the award of over 1,000 scholarships for local and overseas postgraduate studies, the largest in the state’s history.
Governor Nwifuru reiterated that pregnant women now benefit from complimentary maternal care statewide, while emergency medical responses have been enhanced with the deployment of fully equipped ambulances.
He noted that the administration has upgraded general hospitals, recruited additional healthcare personnel, and revitalised the drug revolving fund to guarantee the availability of essential medications.
The governor underscored the mechanisation of agriculture across the 13 LGAs, the distribution of fertilisers, and support for cooperative farmers.
He announced the ongoing construction of an Ebonyi Feed Mill and the revitalisation of the Nkaliki Hatchery, which is anticipated to generate 2,000 jobs.
On the infrastructure front, Nwifuru reported substantial progress on major projects, including the VANCO Flyover and Tunnel, characterised as a transformative urban initiative for Abakaliki; the completion of the Iziogo Tunnel; and ongoing developments at Nwezenyi and Nwofe Junction flyovers, alongside the rehabilitation of township roads, rural feeder roads, and bridges throughout the state.
Governor Nwifuru commended security agencies for their role in maintaining peace and announced that the demarcation of the Effium–Alioma boundary is underway to solidify enduring tranquillity.
The governor also confirmed advancements on the Ebonyi Industrial City, the state-owned cement factory, and the reactivated Waste-to-Wealth Plant in Umuoghara, all aimed at job creation and economic diversification.
Nwifuru stated that the administration has revived essential water schemes, including Oferekpe, Abakaliki Lowlift, and Ezill, while new reservoirs and reticulation works are in progress in Iboko and Ivo.
According to the proposal, the Administrative Sector will receive N137.37 billion (15.52%), while the Economic Sector will be allocated N492.93 billion (55.71%).
The Law and Justice sector will be apportioned N5.03 billion (0.57%), the Regional Sector N1.56 billion (0.18%), and the Social Sector N247.97 billion (28.02%).
Governor Nwifuru asserted that the budget embodies “determination, discipline, and sincerity” despite prevailing national economic challenges.
While urging lawmakers to expedite consideration of the bill, the governor expressed that the aim is to elevate Ebonyi and ensure that every citizen experiences the positive impact of the government.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
