• Nasarawa to spend N545.2b, Abia N1.016tr, Anambra N765b, Osun N723b, Ondo N524.4b, Ogun N1.668tr, Borno N890.33b, Kano N1.47tr
Eight governors yesterday assented to their states’ 2026 Appropriation Bills.
They are: Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Alex Otti (Abia), Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Kabir Abba Yusuf (Kano).
In Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, Governor Sule signed into law N545.2 billion tagged: “Budget of Strategic Consolidation” passed by the House of Assembly.
The governor submitted N517.5 billion to the House of Assembly, but the lawmakers increased it by N27.6 billion.
The signing ceremony was at the Conference Hall of the Government House.
The governor hailed the Speaker and other lawmakers for the speedy passage of the State document.
He promised that the state would witness more people-oriented projects, programmes and policies next year.
Sule also promised effective implementation of the budget and strict adherence to the budgetary provisions.
Speaker Danladi Jatau assured the governor of the commitment of the lawmakers to work for the interest of the people.
“The budget has passed through all legislative processes and committee’s scrutiny before it was passed into law,” he said.
The Speaker called for more synergy and support among all arms of government for the betterment of the state and its people.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi, gave an overview of the budget and its breakdown.
“The Capital Expenditure is N316.265,270,661.07 billion and the Recurrent Expenditure is N228.717,880,249.07 billion respectively,” she said.
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In Abia State, Governor Otti signed N1.016tr 2026 budget into law in Nvosi Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area after its passage by the House of Assembly.
The governor assured the people that his administration would faithfully implement the budget and sustain the momentum of accelerated development across the state.
He described the process as a testament to democratic engagement, transparency and diligence between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government.
Otti hailed the House of Assembly for its thorough scrutiny of the Appropriation Bill, noting that the time taken to review it was an indication of seriousness and commitment to the interests of Abians.
“I’m very glad that this House pays attention to details, not just a House that would pass a bill without asking questions.
“I’m not unaware of the engagements going back and forth between the Executive team and the Legislative team.
“And that is what democracy should be about. Questions should be asked and numbers should be scrutinized. Two good heads, they say, are better than one.
“That this Bill took a little bit of time to pass is also a plus. It shows that some work was being done. And it also puts the executive on his toes to ensure that he continues to up their game, to produce numbers that can be valued for,” he said.
“This is a disciplined government and it will stick to the budget that has been approved. If there is any reason for anything to change, we will still come back to you with a legitimate defence.”
Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa described the 2026 budget as a “Project of Acceleration and New Possibilities”.
He noted that the state was nearing “ground zero” after years of infrastructural and developmental challenges.
“That is why we are beginning to accelerate. I do believe that we have started and we are not going to slow down until this place is completely transformed,” he added.
In Awka, the Anambra State capital, Governor Soludo assented to N765 billion 2026 Appropriation, Correctional Bills and two others into law.
The other Bills the governor signed into law are: Anambra State Mission Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, the Anambra State Taxes, Levies and Presumptive Tax and the Anambra State Correctional Services Law, 2025.
The event was held at Anambra State’s Light House.
A statement by the governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, said the House of Assembly increased the Appropriation Bill by N8 billion. Soludo had submitted N757 billion, while it was raised by the lawmakers to N765 billion.
Assenting to the laws, the governor said: “This budget is more than numbers — it is a strategic plan crafted to deliver on our administration’s promises.
“We have focused on what truly matters to the people, ensuring that resources are allocated to meet the critical needs in our communities.”
Giving the lawmakers a pat on the back for doing a good jo, Soludo said: “Our productive partnership with the House of Assembly has been crucial.
“Their thoroughness and cooperation have helped deliver laws that will accelerate the development and prosperity of Anambra State.
“We submitted draft appropriation of N757 billion but in their wisdom after various reviews, the budget size very slightly increased to N766 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. So, we now get to work.
“Transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance are not just ideals; they are the bedrock of our government.
“By enacting these laws, we are creating the enabling environment for effective service delivery and sustainable growth.”
In Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Governor Adeleke assented to ₦723 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law in the presence of Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi; Speaker Adewale Egbedun; the Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye; the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, and members of the State Executive Council (Exco).
The House of Assembly had passed ₦723,454,988,670.00 the budget christened ‘Budget of Economic Transformation’ few days ago.
Assenting to the budget, Adeleke said the budget will consolidate and expand governance and service deliveries in line with the five-point agenda of his administration.
In a statement by his media aide , Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke said: “This is the final year of our first term with expanded ambitions to complete ongoing projects and launch new initiatives for the good of our people.
“Our administration has in the last three budget years laid solid foundation for the sustainable development of our dear state. We completed many abandoned projects and launched new ones. We paid billions of naira in pension and salary debt. We targeted workers welfare and approved and implemented payments of promotions arrears and paid many allowances which the previous government neglected.”
The governor said his team had resolved to consolidate his administration’s achievements across the sectors.
He said: “The year 2026 is a dual year of renewal of mandate and rolling out of a new agenda for the next four years. The consolidation for 2026 is a year of continuation, of further good governance and of continuity for sustainable governance.
“Year 2026 is a loaded era as an election year when by God and people, our mandate will be renewed. But we should not allow governance to suffer. We must multi-task.
“We promise Osun people full implementation of the new appropriation act. I charge each ministries and agencies to follow the established timelines for the budget execution. We will continue to focus on people’s welfare and complete all ongoing projects and programmes.”
In Akure, the Ondo State capital, Governor Aiyedatiwa assented to N524.4 billion 2026 budget tagged: “Budget of Economic Consolation,” following its passage by the House of Assembly.
The ceremony was held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office.
The budget comprises a recurrent expenditure of N220,830,941,200 (42.11 per cent) and a capital expenditure of N303,579,649,739 (57.89 per cent).
The governor said the budget underscores his administration’s strong commitment to infrastructure and economic growth.
Sectoral distribution include: Agricultural Development: N29.6 billion (5.7 per cent), Trade and Industry: N8.7 billion (1.7 per cent), Education: N64.5 billion (12.3 per cent), Health: N59.5 billion (11.4 per cent), Information: N5.5 billion (1.1 per cent), Community Development: N16.3 billion (3.1 per cent), Infrastructural Development: N144 billion (27.6 per cent) and Environment & Sewage Management N8.7 billion (1.7 per cent), Regional Development: N15.5 billion (3.0 per cent), Administration of Justice: N20.5 billion (3.9 per cent), Public Finance: N95 billion (18.1 per cent),General Administration: N35b (6.7 per cent),Legislative Administration: N13 billion (2.5 per cent) and Energy: N7.3 billion (1.4 per cent).
Aiyedatiwa said the fiscal plan was strategically designed to place the state on the path of sustainable growth while safeguarding the welfare of citizens.
The governor described the 2026 budget as a strategic blueprint designed to respond effectively to prevailing national economic realities while positioning the state on a path of self-reliance, resilience and enduring prosperity.
He outlined the sectoral distribution, highlighting the allocations to agricultural development, trade and industry, education, health, information, community development, infrastructural development, environment and sewage management, regional development, administration of justice, public finance, general administration, legislative administration, and energy.
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the budget’s key pillars, emphasising agriculture and food security with targeted investments in modern farming, support for smallholder farmers, and improved access to credit.
He stressed that human capital development and skills enhancement through education, school renovations, teacher training, and digital skills development are also priority.
He added that economic transformation and infrastructure development, including completion and initiation of critical projects in roads, power, and water supply, will create an enabling environment for businesses.
Speaker Olamide Oladiji hailed Governor Aiyedatiwa for transforming the state and giving Akure a capital-like appearance.
He also highlighted the Assembly’s achievements in passing Bills that regulate community activities, prohibiting kidnapping, registering domestic staff, establishing the State Road Fund, and creating coastal and waterways management agencies.
In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Governor Abiodun assented to the N1.668 trillion 2026 budget following its passage by the House of Assembly.
The passage followed the presentation and adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, chaired by Mr Musefiu Lamidi (APC-Ado-Odo/Ota II) during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Lamidi, who moved the motion for the adoption of the committee’s report, said the Bill was submitted to the Assembly 26 days earlier and had undergone scrutiny.
The motion was seconded by Folawewo Salami (APC-Ifo II) and supported by the whole House during plenary presided over by Speaker Oludaisi Elemide.
The Bill was later read and adopted clause by clause before the Committee of the Whole House; after which the motion for its third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff (APC-Ado-Odo/Ota I).
The motion was seconded by Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye (PDP – Odogbolu) and supported by all the lawmakers through a unanimous voice vote.
The Clerk/Head of the Legislative Service, Sakiru Adebakin, read the Bill for the third time, while Elemide directed that a clean copy be transmitted to the governor for assent.
Earlier, while Presenting the committee’s report on the bill titled “H.B. No. 028/OG/2025 – Year 2026 Appropriation Bill”, Lamidi said the Assembly made adjustments to the budget proposals of three Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Governor Abiodun had, on December 3, presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly for approval.
In Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, Governor Zulum signed the N890.33 billion into law.
The governor said the budget was aligned with the state’s 25-Year Development Plan and 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative.
The budget was christened “Budget of Sustained Recovery and Growth.”
The governor said the budget comprises N536.56 billion for capital expenditure and N353.77 billion for recurrent expenditure.
He said funding sources include N317.68 billion from FAAC, N44.30 billion from IGR and N417.23 billion in capital receipts from grants and aid.
Zulum said the budget assumptions include an oil price benchmark of 64 U.S dollars per barrel, an exchange rate of N1,512 to the dollar and an inflation rate of 18 per cent.
He said the budget prioritised security, human capital development, infrastructure, social welfare and economic revitalisation, with emphasis on durable solutions for displaced persons and resettled communities.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prudent financial management, due process, and value for money in public spending.
The governor said the 2026 budget prioritised revenue generation, land administration, emergency management, urban planning, rural electrification, arts and culture, scholarship management, and sustainable development initiatives.
He said security and durable solutions for displaced persons form the core of his 2026 Appropriation Bill.
Zulum said the budget provided increased funding for security agencies to consolidate peace through improved welfare, modern equipment and enhanced intelligence gathering.
He said significant resources were also earmarked for closing remaining IDP camps through the construction of resilient housing, land allocation and livelihood revitalisation in recovered communities.
According to him, the goal is to transition from humanitarian assistance to sustainable development, ensuring resettled citizens live with dignity, self-reliance and opportunity.
Zulum reviewed the 2025 fiscal year, citing macroeconomic challenges that affected budget implementation.
He recalled that the 2025 budget stood at N615.85 billion, comprising N373.67 billion for capital expenditure and N242.17 billion for recurrent expenditure.
The governor said that assumptions on exchange rate stability and inflation under the Federal Government’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework were disrupted by prevailing economic realities.
Despite the challenges, he said the state adopted proactive fiscal measures that ensured continued service delivery, infrastructure development and support to security agencies.
Responding, the Speaker of the state assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, lauded the achievements made by the governor in the 2025 budget.
Lawan also assured the governor of the assembly’s determination to pass the budget within a short time.
In Kano, Governor Yusuf assented to ₦1.477 trillion 2026 budget following its consideration during plenary.
The passage of the Bill followed its second reading and deliberations in the Committee of the Whole at a sitting presided over by Speaker Jibril Falgore in Kano.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Governor Yusuf had presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly on November 19 for legislative consideration.
A breakdown of the approved budget shows that ₦934.6 billion, representing 68 per cent, was allocated to capital expenditure, while ₦433.4 billion, accounting for 32 per cent, was earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
The capital-to-recurrent ratio is considered one of the highest in the state’s recent fiscal history, reflecting the government’s emphasis on infrastructure and development projects.
With the passage of the bill, the assembly is expected to transmit the budget to Gov. Yusuf for assent in line with constitutional provisions.
Also, the assembly also held a valedictory session in honour of its two deceased members, Aminu Sa’ad, who represented Ungogo Constituency, and Sarki Aliyu Daneji, who represented Kano Municipal Constituency.
The lawmakers died in active service on Wednesday, Dec. 24, just hours apart.
During the session, Speaker Falgore described their demise as a grievous loss to the assembly and the state, noting that the late legislators were committed public servants who contributed significantly to lawmaking and community development.
He said their dedication to democratic ideals and the welfare of their constituents would remain indelible.
The Speaker extended condolences to Gov. Yusuf, former Governor, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the families of the deceased lawmakers, and the entire people of Kano State.
According to him, the assembly will continue to honour their memories and uphold the values they stood for. (NAN)
