UYO
Akwa Ibom government has unveiled details of its proposed 2026 Appropriation Bill, christened, “The People’s Budget for Expansion and Growth,” with a total outlay of N1.39 trillion, representing a 16 percent reduction from the revised N1.65 trillion fiscal plan of 2025.
The budget breakdown was presented, Thursday, November 27, by the commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Nsikan Nkan, who was flanked by his counterparts in Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, and Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, during a media briefing at the ministry’s conference room.
Providing a review of the 2025 budget performance, Nkan disclosed that the fiscal year was initially approved at N955 billion, before being revised upward to N1.650 trillion, covering N425.664 billion in Recurrent Expenditure and N1.224 trillion in Capital Expenditure.
He noted that as of the third quarter of 2025, the State recorded N897.144 billion in recurrent revenue, representing 108 percent of the approved target for the period. Recurrent expenditure stood at N231.228 billion, amounting to 77.1 percent of the provision, while capital expenditure reached N598.981 billion, reflecting a 91.4 percent performance, with an overall total expenditure of N830.210 billion, representing 86.9 percent of the year’s approved estimates for the nine-month period.
On the 2026 budget proposal, Nkan explained that the N1.39 trillion outlay comprises N354.867 billion for Recurrent Expenditure, representing 25 percent, and N1.035 trillion for Capital Expenditure, representing 75 percent, stressing that the policy thrust of the budget is firmly anchored on Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, with emphasis on food sufficiency, rural development, major infrastructure delivery, improved security, education reforms, economic diversification, MSME stimulation, and healthcare expansion, including the completion of the Ibom Medical City.
The budget, according to the Budget and Economic Planning commissioner, also prioritises renewable energy investments, human capital development, a more efficient tax system, tourism promotion, and an enhanced transportation network.
He further noted that the administration intends to boost rural electrification, expand ICT capacity in schools, deepen youth empowerment and create wider economic opportunities through public-private partnerships.
Nkan emphasised that implementation strategies for the 2026 fiscal plan will include strict fiscal discipline, with government funding only projects captured in the budget, adding that the State will incentivise agricultural investments, strengthen small businesses through grants and loans, and continue work on critical infrastructure such as the Lagos Ibom Towers.
Other strategies, he mentioned, include poverty alleviation programmes, quarterly performance tracking using key indicators, a targeted improvement of at least 20 percent in internally generated revenue, climate change mitigation efforts, expanded rural and urban roads, and deeper collaboration with private and foreign investors.
The proposed budget allocates N268.555 billion to the Administration sector, N789.916 billion to the Economic sector, N23.738 billion to Law and Justice, N2.283 billion to the Regional sector, and N305.509 billion to the Social sector.
According to the commissioner, the fiscal plan is expected to strengthen infrastructure delivery, sustain economic growth, expand opportunities for citizens, and promote good governance across the State.
Also speaking at the briefing, the commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, said the budget analysis reflects Governor Eno’s directive to provide citizens with a clear explanation of the government’s financial plans.
Bob disclosed that the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and Akwa-GIS would become fully operational from January 2026, noting that these reforms will enhance fiscal performance and place greater emphasis on MDAs efficiency to stimulate the State’s economy.
The commissioner for Information, Dr Aniekan Umanah, commended Governor Eno for a thorough and constitutionally compliant budget presentation before the House of Assembly, noting that the administration’s fiscal discipline and application were evident in the ongoing interventions across the State, including road construction and repairs, the ARISE Palm Resort, the Ibom Towers in Lagos, Ibom Hotels in Abuja, and the International Conference Centre, among other key projects.
Umanah urged the media to enlighten the public on government activities and programmes, while ensuring balanced and objective cohesion.
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