Soludo Presents ₦757.8bn 2026 Budget to Anambra Assembly, Says “Solution Continues”
By Our Correspondent, Awka
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on Tuesday presented a ₦757.88 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Anambra State House of Assembly, describing it as a strategic acceleration of his administration’s development agenda.
Tagged “Changing Gears 3.0: Solution Continues,” the budget represents a 24.1% increase from the ₦606.99 billion approved for 2025. Soludo said the proposal reflects his government’s commitment to “execution, acceleration and consolidation” as his first term winds down in March 2026.
Speaking during the budget presentation at the Assembly complex in Awka, the Governor expressed gratitude to Ndi Anambra for renewing his mandate with what he described as a “historic 73%” vote in the November 2025 governorship election. He praised the 8th Assembly for what he called their “exceptional productivity” and partnership in driving reforms across the state.
Capital Projects Take Lion’s Share
Of the proposed ₦757.88 billion budget size, capital expenditure accounts for ₦595.3 billion (79%), while recurrent spending stands at ₦162.6 billion (21%). Soludo said the ratio underscores his administration’s resolve to invest heavily in infrastructure, human capital development, and economic expansion.
The budget deficit is projected at ₦225.7 billion, representing 29.8% of the total budget. Despite the deficit, the Governor reiterated his stance on strict borrowing conditions, stressing that his administration has not borrowed since inception and will only do so “for concessionary, bankable, revenue-generating projects.”
Infrastructure, Education, Security Dominate Spending Priorities
The Governor announced that at least 70% of the budget is allocated to the key pillars of his Solution Agenda—security, infrastructure/economic transformation, and human capital development.
He highlighted ongoing and upcoming flagship projects including:
Dualization and rehabilitation of major roads across the state
Expansion of mass transit systems, jetties, and waterway transport
Development of Awka 2.0, Greater Niger City, and the Aerotropolis/New Industrial-Commercial City
Commencement of the Anambra Mixed-Use Industrial City
Implementation of the state’s Rail Masterplan through PPP arrangements
Soludo also announced plans to begin constructing new public primary schools in 30 communities that have none, while continuing upgrades to existing schools. The education sector saw a notable 46.9% year-on-year budget increase, the highest among all sectors.
In healthcare, the administration will complete the specialist teaching hospital (with oncology focus), finish the new College of Nursing, and intensify rehabilitation of primary and secondary healthcare centres statewide.
Youth Empowerment and Digital Innovation to Expand
Soludo confirmed that over 95,000 youths have been trained in digital and entrepreneurial skills, with 13,300 empowered under the One Youth, Two Skills initiative. In 2026, the programme will be scaled up significantly.
He disclosed that the Solution Innovation District (SID)—described as Anambra’s “Silicon Valley”—is nearing completion and will anchor the state’s growing digital economy.
IGR Remains a Weak Link
The Governor lamented persistent shortfalls in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), calling it the “weakest link” in the state’s fiscal structure. He revealed that a comprehensive, technology-driven overhaul of the IGR system would be launched in the coming weeks to block leakages and expand the tax net.
“The future we seek cannot be funded by wishful thinking,” he told lawmakers and stakeholders.
“We Applied for This Job, No Excuses”
Soludo insisted that despite inflationary pressures and reduced federal allocations, his administration would maintain fiscal discipline and a cost-cutting ethos.
“The 2026 budget is modest—about $520 million in today’s value. But Ndi Anambra, we have no excuses. We asked for your mandate, and we must deliver,” he said.
Commends Stakeholders, Reaffirms Vision 2070
He praised security agencies, civil servants, teachers, community leaders, religious bodies, and development partners for their support, reiterating his administration’s determination to lay “irreversible foundations” for the state’s 50-year development plan—Anambra Vision 2070.
“Anambra is indeed on the rise,” Soludo declared as he urged lawmakers to give the 2026 budget accelerated consideration.
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
