Enugu Assembly Approves ₦1.62 Trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill

The Enugu State House of Assembly has approved and passed into law the ₦1.62 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, marking the largest budget in the state’s history and a significant increase over the current fiscal year.

The bill, christened the “Budget of Renewed Momentum”, was passed on Thursday following detailed committee scrutiny and debates.

Finance Committee Breakdown

Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Chukwudi Nwankwo, explained that the 2026 budget figure represents a 66.5 per cent rise compared with the revised 2025 budget of ₦971 billion. Total recurrent expenditure is set at ₦321 billion (20 per cent), while ₦1.29 trillion (80 per cent) is earmarked for capital expenditure.

According to the committee chairman, the budget is structured around four key pillars: empowerment and education, inclusive and people-centred development, good governance, and economic transformation priorities intended to sustain the momentum of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s administration.

Funding Sources and Sector Allocations

The fiscal plan will be financed through a blend of revenue streams, with ₦870 billion projected from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), ₦387 billion from federal allocations, and ₦329 billion from capital receipts.

On sectoral distribution, the economic sector received the largest share, reflecting the government’s focus on infrastructure and productivity, followed by the social sector, which includes education and healthcare.

Smaller allocations were recorded for administrative, law and justice, and regional services.

Lawmakers’ Response

Speaking after passage, House Speaker Hon. Uche Ugwu commended the legislature’s committees for thorough engagement with ministries, departments, and agencies during budget defence.

He also praised Governor Mbah’s leadership, which he said had “transformed the state and opened it to investors.” Ugwu urged continued public support to ensure implementation of the government’s programmes for the benefit of Enugu residents.

The budget now awaits transmission to Governor Mbah for assent and subsequent implementation in the 2026 fiscal year.