Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, presented a historic budget estimate of N1.62 trillion for 2026 to the Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday, emphasizing that the administration is transitioning from foundational work to implementing transformations across all sectors.

This amount signifies a 66.5 percent increase compared to the revised 2025 budget of N971 billion.

Termed the Budget of Renewed Momentum, Governor Mbah noted that the budget is composed of a Capital Expenditure totaling N1,296,092,465,000, which makes up 80 percent of the overall budget, while the Recurrent Component accounts for N321,305,000,000, representing 20 percent, culminating in a total of N1,617,397,465,000.

He explained that the budget would be financed through a projected N870 billion in Internally Generated Revenue, with N387 billion anticipated from the Federal Account Allocation Committee, and N329 billion expected as Capital Receipts.

A breakdown by sector indicates that the Economic Sector is allocated N825.9 billion, which is 51 percent of the total budget, followed by the Social Sector with N644.7 billion, accounting for 40.1 percent, while the Administration Sector, Justice Sector, and Regional Sector received N128 billion, N15.8 billion, and N2 billion, respectively.

The governor elaborated on the strategic funding: “Investing N825.9 billion in the Economic Sector is a purposeful move. By prioritizing agriculture, industry, and trade, we create jobs, decrease poverty, and generate revenue that bolsters the overall economy. The success of this sector is essential to our goal of achieving a seven-fold increase in GDP for Enugu State.”

Key plans for the Economic Sector encompass the Roads/Infrastructure Sector, where the governor aims to construct 1,200 urban roads and a notable number of rural roads. Moreover, the ongoing work on the 40-kilometre Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway will be completed, alongside the dualization of the Abakpa Nike – Ugwogo Nike – Ekwegbe – Opi-Nsukka Road, as well as the 21.65-kilometre Enugu-Abakaliki Expressway.

Regarding Transportation, Mbah declared that the state intends to acquire 14 additional aircraft, expanding Enugu Air’s fleet to 20, with three more planes expected to arrive by the end of 2025.

The administration also plans to establish five more transport terminals in Emene, Udi, Awgu, Four-Corners (Ozalla), and Obollo-Afor, setting aside 15 percent of the budget specifically for the development of 15,000 mass housing units, while also enhancing infrastructure at the New Enugu City.

In the Agricultural Sector, he mentioned that the government would, among other initiatives, accelerate the establishment of 20-hectare Farm Estates in each of the 260 wards, with several already in progress.

Within the Social Sector, education has been allocated the largest share, receiving 32.27 percent of the total budget, consistent with over 30 percent allocations in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.

He stated that with the 260 Smart Green Schools either completed or nearing completion, the focus in 2026 will shift to constructing Smart Secondary Schools and Technical and Vocational Education Training Colleges throughout the state.

Mbah justified the substantial investment in education by clarifying: “Some may criticize our spending on education, but what we currently allocate is minor compared to the future social costs associated with having a large population of children out of school.”

He noted that the administration has earmarked N20 billion to address long-standing gratuities inherited by his administration, emphasizing that “Our workers should not endure prolonged waits for the benefits they have earned.”

An allocation of N11 billion has been set aside to support, among other initiatives, the second phase of the administration’s security surveillance system, while the Health sector will receive 10 percent of the overall budget. On the performance of the 2025 budget, Governor Mbah reported that the administration has spent approximately N806 billion to date.