Soludo signs N766bn 2026 Anambra budget into law
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has approved the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law alongside three other major legislations, describing the action as a significant milestone toward sustained growth and development in the state.
The signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Light House in Awka, marking a new phase in Anambra’s fiscal planning and governance framework.
The 2026 budget, which was reviewed and increased by the State House of Assembly from ₦757 billion to ₦766 billion, is designed to stimulate economic expansion, boost infrastructure development, and strengthen social intervention programmes across the state.
Speaking after assenting to the bill, Soludo said the budget represents a carefully structured roadmap aimed at fulfilling his administration’s commitments while addressing the most pressing needs of the people.
He noted that the spending priorities focus on economic growth, accelerated infrastructure delivery, and improved social welfare.
Describing the appropriation as more than a financial document, the governor said it reflects a people-centred strategy tailored to meet community needs, while commending the Eighth State Assembly for its diligence, cooperation, and commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
In addition to the budget, Soludo also signed into law three other key bills: the Anambra Mission School of Nursing and Midwifery (Amendment No. 3) Law, 2025; the Tax Clearance Certificate Law, 2025; and the Anambra State Correctional Service Law, 2025. He said the enactment of these laws underscored his administration’s dedication to effective governance and sustainable development.
The governor praised the lawmakers for their constructive partnership, noting that their detailed review process led to a slight upward adjustment of the budget to ₦766 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.
Reaffirming the guiding principles of his administration, Soludo stressed that transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness remain central to governance, adding that the newly enacted laws would create a supportive environment for efficient service delivery and long-term growth.
The signing ceremony was attended by top government officials, including the Speaker of the State Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze; Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Ernest Ezeajughi; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylva Chika Ifemeje; the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake; and other senior officials.
It will be recalled that Soludo had earlier, on November 25, presented a ₦757 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the House of Assembly, tagged “Changing Gears 3.0: Solution Continues.”
According to the governor, the proposed budget emphasised intensified execution of his administration’s development agenda, with ₦595.3 billion allocated to capital expenditure, representing 79 per cent of the total budget, while ₦161.6 billion, or 21 per cent, was set aside for recurrent spending.
He added that the budget carries a deficit of ₦225.7 billion, which would be financed through a combination of public–private partnerships, enhanced internally generated revenue, concessions, institutional support, and other hybrid funding options.
Soludo also noted that the 2026 budget reflects a 24.1 per cent increase compared to the ₦606.99 billion budget of 2025, adding that the state recorded over 60 per cent budget performance in 2025 despite it being an election year.
He assured residents that the government remains committed to prudent fiscal management, emphasising that borrowing would not be used for consumption and that all funds would be judiciously deployed to deliver maximum value and advance the vision of a prosperous, smart, and liveable Anambra State.
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