Inside Edo
Okpebholo unveils ₦939.85bn 2026 budget with record ₦614.2bn for infrastructure, agriculture
Written By: Emmanuel Ikhenebome
17 Dec 2025 01:25 AM
Benin, Edo – In a bold move to accelerate economic transformation, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has presented a ₦939.85 billion Appropriation Bill for 2026, allocating an unprecedented ₦614.2 billion, the largest share of the budget to the economic sector.
This massive investment targets agriculture, roads, transport, urban development, and energy, signaling a strong push for infrastructure-led growth and rural empowerment.
Speaking during the budget presentation to the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, Governor Okpebholo described the fiscal plan, christened the "Budget of Hope and Growth," as a strategic blueprint to build on 2025 foundations while delivering tangible development.
He emphasized that the heavy capital expenditure focus, that 68% of the total budget at ₦637 billion would drive high-impact projects without imposing new taxes on citizens, relying instead on enhanced Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and leakage plugging.
The economic sector's ₦614.2 billion allocation dwarfs other areas, underscoring the administration's priority on infrastructure and agriculture as engines of job creation, food security, and economic diversification.
Key targets in the economic sector include:
Extensive rural and urban road construction to improve connectivity and boost commerce.
Completion of two major flyovers to ease traffic congestion in urban centers.
Comprehensive drainage works to combat flooding and enhance livability.
Urban renewal initiatives to modernize Benin City and other towns.
Expansion of farm estates and irrigation facilities to scale up agricultural production.
These investments align with the governor's SHINE Agenda, particularly the pillars of Infrastructure and Natural Resources/Agriculture, aiming to create a prosperous Edo State where improved roads facilitate market access for farmers, better energy supports industries, and urban upgrades attract investment.
Governor Okpebholo highlighted that funding would come from projected IGR of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, grants, and Public-Private Partnerships, ensuring sustainable financing for these ambitious projects.
The budget proposal has been committed to the House for scrutiny and passage, with analysts praising the economic sector's dominance as a potential game-changer for Edo's GDP growth, employment, and poverty reduction in rural communities.
This massive investment targets agriculture, roads, transport, urban development, and energy, signaling a strong push for infrastructure-led growth and rural empowerment.
Speaking during the budget presentation to the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday, Governor Okpebholo described the fiscal plan, christened the "Budget of Hope and Growth," as a strategic blueprint to build on 2025 foundations while delivering tangible development.
He emphasized that the heavy capital expenditure focus, that 68% of the total budget at ₦637 billion would drive high-impact projects without imposing new taxes on citizens, relying instead on enhanced Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and leakage plugging.
The economic sector's ₦614.2 billion allocation dwarfs other areas, underscoring the administration's priority on infrastructure and agriculture as engines of job creation, food security, and economic diversification.
Key targets in the economic sector include:
Extensive rural and urban road construction to improve connectivity and boost commerce.
Completion of two major flyovers to ease traffic congestion in urban centers.
Comprehensive drainage works to combat flooding and enhance livability.
Urban renewal initiatives to modernize Benin City and other towns.
Expansion of farm estates and irrigation facilities to scale up agricultural production.
These investments align with the governor's SHINE Agenda, particularly the pillars of Infrastructure and Natural Resources/Agriculture, aiming to create a prosperous Edo State where improved roads facilitate market access for farmers, better energy supports industries, and urban upgrades attract investment.
Governor Okpebholo highlighted that funding would come from projected IGR of ₦160 billion, FAAC allocations of ₦480 billion, grants, and Public-Private Partnerships, ensuring sustainable financing for these ambitious projects.
The budget proposal has been committed to the House for scrutiny and passage, with analysts praising the economic sector's dominance as a potential game-changer for Edo's GDP growth, employment, and poverty reduction in rural communities.
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