Governor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State has officially enacted the state's financial plan for the 2026 fiscal year, signing a substantial budget of ₦1,584,271,856,630.00 into law.
A Budget Geared Towards Development
The signing ceremony took place on January 5, 2026, during an enlarged session of the State Executive Council held at the Exco Chambers within the Government House in Uyo. The event saw the presence of the state's legislative leadership, led by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong.
A detailed breakdown of the 2026 budget reveals a strong emphasis on development projects. A sum of ₦416,594,925,850 is allocated for recurrent expenditure, which covers day-to-day operational costs. The larger share, a significant ₦1,167,676,930,780, is dedicated to capital expenditure, aimed at driving infrastructure and economic growth across the state.
Governor Eno's Charge Against Excuses
During the meeting, Governor Eno commended the productive relationship between the Executive Arm and the State House of Assembly, noting that this synergy was responsible for many achievements in the preceding year. He then issued a firm directive to members of the State Executive Council, demanding total dedication and passion in service delivery.
"This year is not a year for excuses. It is a year for action," the Governor declared. He urged officials to break barriers and go the extra mile to deliver on their mandates, emphasizing that only then could they celebrate and earn recognition.
Governor Eno drew a biblical analogy, cautioning his team against shifting blame like King Saul. "The courage to do the right thing resides in leadership. The audacity to take decisions for the people resides in leadership," he stated, affirming that excuses for non-performance would not be tolerated in 2026.
Legislative Backing and Budget Adjustments
Earlier, Speaker Udeme Otong praised Governor Eno for his transparent and inclusive governance style. He assured that the House of Assembly was pleased with the administration's performance, citing an over 80% implementation rate of the 2025 budget, and pledged continued collaboration.
Providing further details after the signing, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Linus Nkan, explained the budget's evolution. He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah.
Dr. Nkan revealed that the initial budget proposal presented to the legislature on November 25, 2025, stood at ₦1.39 trillion. Following rigorous scrutiny and defence sessions by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), adjustments were made that increased the total figure by ₦194 billion.
"The recurrent expenditure total is 416.5 billion, as against N354 billion originally proposed. Whereas the capital expenditure increased to N1,167 trillion from the original N1,035 trillion," he clarified. The Commissioner expressed optimism that the final budget of ₦1,584,271,856,630 would stimulate and drive the state's economic development.
In a related development during the council meeting, Governor Eno presented an Award of Excellence to the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, naming him Commissioner of the Year. The governor lauded Dr. Udofia's passion and dedication, which contributed to the success of the recent "Christmas Unplugged 3.0" event.
As a reward, the Governor announced a ₦20 million cash prize for the Commissioner, an additional ₦100 million for the event's planning committee members, and approved a one-week leave for Dr. Udofia.
