Anambra’s 2026 Budget Jumps by 24.1% as Soludo Seeks Approval for ₦757.9bn Spending Plan

• Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has presented a ₦757.9bn budget proposal for 2026—representing a sharp 24.1% increase from last year—raising fresh scrutiny over the state’s rising expenditure and funding strategy.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Tuesday presented a ₦757,884,487,705 budget estimate for the 2026 fiscal year to the Anambra State House of Assembly, representing a 24.1% increase from the 2025 budget of ₦606.9 billion.

Soludo said the 2026 budget reflects his administration’s intensified focus on execution, with a strong emphasis on capital projects. Capital expenditure is projected at ₦595.3 billion—79% of the total budget—while recurrent expenditure stands at ₦162.6 billion, or 21%. This represents a year-on-year growth of 26.3% in capital spending and 16.6% in recurrent spending.

Budget Deficit and Funding Plans

The governor estimated the budget deficit at ₦225.7 billion, about 29.8% of the total proposed spending. He said the deficit would be financed through hybrid options such as privatisation proceeds, improved internally generated revenue (IGR), and concessionary borrowing for strictly bankable projects.

“Since the beginning of this administration, we have not borrowed to finance budget deficits, and depending on the pace of execution in 2026, we may still not need to borrow,” Soludo stated.

Sectoral Priorities and Investments

The budget features significant increases across key sectors:

• Administrative Sector: +12.2%
• Economic Sector: +26.7%
• Social Sector: +31.4%
• Education: +46.9%
• Health: +13%
• Infrastructure Investments: +27.7%

Soludo said the allocations reflect a deepened commitment to boosting human capital, strengthening the state’s economy, expanding infrastructure, and improving the overall welfare of Ndi Anambra.

At least 70% of the budget is dedicated to security, law and order, infrastructure development, economic transformation, and human capital development.

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Infrastructure and Transport Revolution

Soludo outlined an ambitious continuation of the state’s transport revolution. Plans include:

• Construction and dualisation of strategic roads
• New bridges and flyovers
• Expansion of mass transit systems
• Development of jetties and acquisition of boats for safer water transport
• Exploration of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the state’s rail master plan

Development of Three New Cities

The governor announced major urban development projects, including:

• Awka 2.0
• Greater Niger City
• Aerotropolis/New Industrial-Commercial City

Construction of the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City will commence in 2026, signalling a new phase of industrialisation in the state.

Strong Focus on Education

Education remains a top priority, with plans to:

• Sustain free and quality education
• Continue construction and upgrades of schools
• Establish two new specialist tertiary institutions
• Build public primary schools in 30 communities that currently lack any
• Continue infrastructure upgrades under the ASUBEB programme
• Strengthen support for mission schools, particularly those returned to their original owners

The governor said the 2026 budget is designed to accelerate Anambra’s transformation, deepen economic growth, and drive sustainable development across all sectors.