Uzodimma Presents N1.44trn 2026 Budget, Pledges Infrastructure Development

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Monday presented a budget proposal of N1.4 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Imo House of Assembly.

The budget is tagged “Budget of economic breakthrough” and has a total of N1, 430,573,590,405.04, representing a 78 per cent increase from the 2025 budget of N807 billion.

According to him, the proposed recurrent expenditure for the 2026 fiscal year is N238, 499,999,653, which covers personnel costs, overheads, and subventions, while the total projected capital expenditure is N1,201,073,590,752.04.

Uzodimma stated that the budget comprised 83.4 per cent capital expenditure and 16.6 per cent recurrent expenditure.

A brief breakdown showed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is allocated N20.506 billion, while the Health Ministry will receive N698.163 billion.

The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development was allocated N87.727 billion, while the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition is to receive N6.471 billion.

The Ministry of Power and Electrification is to receive N190.451 billion, the Education Ministry to get N60.623 billion, while the Ministry of Rural Development will receive N15.106 billion.

The governor said the figure was predicated on improved federal allocation and internally generated revenue, adding that his ambition was to eradicate dependence on generators powered economy and provide world-class infrastructure to facilitate economic breakthrough.

According to the governor, the budget is anchored in the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and recovery (3R) agenda. It is designed to consolidate the gains recorded in road construction, healthcare delivery, education, the digital economy, and security.

Uzodimma disclosed that the state had recorded progress in the health sector through the construction and upgrade of general hospitals and primary healthcare centres, while four NUC-approved universities were currently operating in the state.

The governor disclosed that there had been investments around the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, including plans to operationalise the cargo terminal through a public-private partnership, to position Imo as a logistics hub for the South-East.

Furthermore, he stated that over 130 roads had been completed across the state, noting that key projects, such as the Owerri–Umuahia dual carriageway, the Assumpta flyover, and several urban and rural roads, had improved mobility and boosted economic activities in the state capital.

The governor commended the state assembly lawmakers for being true partners in progress and for their full support and cooperation with the executive arm of government.

Earlier, speaker of the state assembly, Hon Chike Olemgbe said the budget will usher in increased and improved power generation in the state, increased infrastructural projects, improved healthcare and increased human capital development as well as sustained food security.

According to him, the governor had continued to abide by the tenets of democracy as enshrined in the constitution, even as he commended the governor for his initiatives geared towards strengthening security in the state.