Inside Abia's N1.016 Trillion 2026 Budget: What Otti Plans To Achieve

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex C. Otti, on Tuesday presented a landmark N1.016 trillion budget for 2026, describing it as a "Budget of Acceleration and New PossibilitiesÔÇØ aimed at pushing the state into a new phase of economic expansion, infrastructural renewal, and inclusive development.

Speaking on the floor of the Abia State House of Assembly, Governor Otti acknowledged that although the 2025 budget achieved substantial progress, several projections were not fully met due to economic uncertainties and emergency interventions. Despite this, he affirmed that Abia's fiscal performance continues to rise, with the full 2025 budget performance report scheduled for publication at the end of the quarter.

Unveiling the 2026 proposal, Otti announced that 80% of the entire budget-N811.8 billion-will go into capital projects, marking a 32% increase from last year's allocation. Only 20% (N204.4 billion) is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, including the integration of thousands of newly recruited workers into the payroll.

According to the Governor, the budget is intentionally structured to speed up the transformation already underway across the state through investments in:

Education - N203.2 billion (20% of the budget)

Health - N149.7 billion (15% of the budget)

Road infrastructure - N169.3 billion

Transport modernization - N11.1 billion

Agriculture, entrepreneurship, ICT, sports, women and youth programmes - over N229 billion

In education, Otti disclosed that the government will build 17 new model primary and secondary schools, 3 technical colleges, and 100 staff quarters and ICT labs across the state. Tertiary institutions will receive N52.8 billion for staff welfare, new lecture theatres, hostels, and infrastructure upgrades.

In the health sector, more than 23 public health facilities will receive new equipment, while seven general hospitals will be renovated or rebuilt to strengthen manpower development and life-saving services.

On infrastructure, the Government plans to sustain its aggressive road renewal drive, targeting major corridors including Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende Road, Umuahia-Umueze-Agwu-Mbom Road, Nkata-Amaeke Road, and several community roads critical to commerce and mobility.

Otti also confirmed that 80 new electric buses will be procured in 2026 to expand the state's mass transit system, following the successful arrival of the first 20 buses already delivered in Umuahia. New transport terminals, junction improvements, and modern shelters are scheduled for completion by Q2 2026.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the budget dedicates over N229 billion to poverty reduction, job creation, economic empowerment, agriculture, ICT development, housing, environmental renewal, and social welfare.

A major highlight of the presentation was Abia's revenue outlook. Otti announced that the state expects to raise N223.4 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)-a sharp rise from the projected N100 billion for 2025 and far above the N20 billion recorded before his administration. Recurrent expenditure for 2026, he said, will be fully funded from IGR alone.

The state also anticipates earnings of N83.2 billion from FAAC, N67.1 billion from VAT, N26.5 billion from grants and aids, and N168 billion from other federal revenue streams, bringing total expected revenue to N607.2 billion. The remaining N409 billion deficit will be financed through concessionary loans strictly for capital projects.

Reiterating a long-standing principle, Otti assured that no loan will be used to fund recurrent expenditure, and all borrowed funds will be tied to projects capable of repaying themselves in the medium and long term.

He concluded by formally laying the budget before the House for consideration, stating that the proposal captures the administration's mission to expand opportunities, accelerate development, and deliver a prosperous future for the people of Abia State.