Mbah Signs N1.62trn Enugu 2026 Budget, Targets N870bn IGR
Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, has signed the N1.62 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, declaring that the projected N870 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the fiscal year is achievable with discipline, creativity and hard work.
Signing the budget, christened “Budget of Renewed Momentum,” at the Executive Chamber of the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, Mbah thanked members of the Enugu State House of Assembly for the speedy and diligent consideration of the bill and assured that implementation would commence immediately.
Out of the total N1.62 trillion budget, N1.296 trillion, representing 80 per cent, was allocated to Capital Expenditure, while N321.3 billion, or 20 per cent, was earmarked for Recurrent Expenditure. The allocation, according to the governor, aligns with his administration’s capital-intensive budgeting tradition, following similar patterns in the 2024 and 2025 budgets.
A breakdown of sectoral allocations shows that the Economic Sector received the highest vote of N825.9 billion, accounting for 51 per cent of the total budget. The Social Sector follows with N644.7 billion, representing 40.1 per cent, while the Administration, Justice and Regional sectors received N128 billion, N15.8 billion and N2 billion, respectively.
Education again got the largest share, with 32.27 per cent of the budget, including N30 billion dedicated to school feeding across the state’s 260 Smart Green Schools, sustaining the administration’s commitment of allocating over 30 per cent to education since 2024.
The 2026 budget is to be funded through N870 billion IGR, N387 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), and N329 billion from capital receipts.
Mbah said the budget was anchored on inclusivity, accountability, transparency, traceability and strong institutions, stressing that the goal was to ensure value for every kobo spent.
He expressed confidence in achieving — and surpassing — the IGR target, citing the dramatic turnaround in the state’s revenue profile from below N30 billion in 2023 to over N180 billion in 2024 and about N400 billion in 2025.
“We will be ending 2025 with an IGR of about N400 billion, which is over 83 per cent of our projected N507 billion for the year. With the unlocking of our economic potentials, we are confident of exceeding N800 billion in 2026,” he said.
The governor added that his long-term vision was to make FAAC allocations a form of savings for the state.
“If we realise this revenue projection, we can effectively govern Enugu State without recourse to FAAC. It becomes something we save for our children and for rainy days,” he noted.
However, Mbah warned that the ambitious revenue target would require extraordinary commitment, urging government appointees to brace for intense work schedules.
“To meet this target, we must generate over N70 billion monthly, N18 billion weekly and about N2.5 billion daily. We cannot afford to waste a single day. There will be no luxury of a yuletide holiday this year as we work to secure the future of our children,” he said.
Earlier, Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, commended the governor for involving the legislature from the budget formulation stage, which he said made the process seamless and people-focused.
He said Enugu residents should expect major projects in 2026, including new road networks, the 135.5-kilometre rail project, additional aircrafts, transport terminals, Smart Secondary Schools and the completion of the 260 Farm Estates.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication with Second Class(Upper Division) at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
