By our correspondant, Benin
The Edo State Government has said that the 2026 Appropriation Bill, presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Monday Okpebholo, is strategically designed to accelerate infrastructure renewal, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen social services across the state.
Commissioner for Finance, Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the details of the bill, noting that the budget aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which prioritises Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education.
According to him, the 2026 budget represents a strategic shift from routine fiscal planning to impact-driven public finance, positioning the budget as a tool for structural correction and inclusive growth. He explained that the administration deliberately prioritised sectors capable of unlocking productivity, reducing inequality, and integrating underserved communities into the state’s economic framework.
Infrastructure dominates the budget, with ₦420.62 billion allocated to the sector, including ₦305 billion earmarked for road construction and rehabilitation. Okoebor said Governor Okpebholo believes that improved road networks will ease the movement of goods and people, reduce transaction costs, and improve access to healthcare, education, and markets, particularly in rural areas.
Agriculture received ₦68 billion in targeted funding, reflecting the administration’s focus on food security, job creation, and rural stability. The provision also supports livestock development through a dedicated ministry, offering a structured and preventive response to farmer-herder conflicts while strengthening agricultural value chains.
On the social sector, Okoebor said the budget makes provisions for education and healthcare through the recruitment of teachers and health workers, alongside continued investment in schools and healthcare facilities. These measures, he noted, are aimed at addressing manpower shortages and improving service delivery across both urban and rural communities.
Job creation is another major feature of the 2026 budget, with ₦116.46 billion set aside for employment-related programmes. The allocation is expected to generate jobs through infrastructure development, agriculture, and expanded government activities.
