Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday presented the ₦939.85 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill, titled the “Budget of Hope and Growth,” to the Edo State House of Assembly. The presentation took place during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku
Governor Okpebholo commended the Assembly for its cooperation in implementing the 2025 budget, which he said delivered tangible benefits to the state. Highlighting the achievements of his first year in office, he explained that the successes in capital and recurrent expenditure, alongside increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), informed the priorities of the 2026 fiscal plan.
On security, the governor noted that cult killings, kidnappings, robbery, and cybercrime were rampant prior to his tenure. To address these challenges, his administration enacted a stronger anti-cultism law, deployed 80 Hilux patrol vans and 400 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruited and trained 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, significantly reducing insecurity across the state.
In the health sector, Okpebholo said the government is rebuilding the system from the ground up, constructing new Primary Health Centres, equipping facilities with diagnostic tools, and developing a 150-bed Specialist Hospital in Edo Central. On infrastructure, the administration awarded 28 new road projects spanning 255 kilometres, including two flyovers in Benin City—the first in the state’s history.
Agriculture has received a major boost, with its budget rising from ₦6.9 billion to ₦57 billion. Over 400 hectares of farmland have been cultivated, and harvesting has commenced across multiple farm clusters to tackle food insecurity. In education, 5,000 permanent teachers were recruited, 63 schools upgraded, and monthly subventions to tertiary institutions significantly increased, including Ambrose Alli University from ₦41 million to ₦500 million.
Governor Okpebholo also highlighted economic growth initiatives, including over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs created and the launch of a ₦1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and traders. Governance reforms included swearing in three previously sidelined judges, re-establishing customary courts, and strengthening traditional institutions.
The 2026 budget allocates ₦637 billion (68%) for capital expenditure and ₦302 billion (32%) for recurrent expenditure. Funding sources include projected IGR of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, capital receipts and grants of ₦153 billion, and Public-Private Partnerships valued at ₦146 billion. Sectoral allocations assign ₦614.2 billion to the economic sector, ₦148.9 billion to the social sector, ₦157.7 billion to administration, and ₦19 billion to justice.
The budget is anchored on the administration’s SHINE Agenda—Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources/Agriculture, and Education—aiming to create a prosperous and united Edo State where citizens experience the impact of governance.
The plenary session was attended by Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Secretary to the State Government Umar Musa Ikhilor, former deputy governors, traditional rulers, civil society representatives, and media personnel
