Governor Hope Uzodinma has presented a 2026 budget proposal of 1.4 trillion naira to the Imo State House of Assembly, a figure representing a significant increase from previous years.
This budget, tagged the “Budget of Economic Breakthrough,” aims to catalyze development across key sectors in the state, with a substantial focus on infrastructure, health, power, and industrial growth.
A notable feature of this budget is its high capital expenditure, amounting to approximately 1.2 trillion naira, which constitutes about 83.4% of the total budget.
Uzodinma explained that this allocation underscores the government’s commitment to infrastructural and economic development, emphasizing large-scale projects like the Light-Up Imo initiative, which aims to create over 100,000 jobs and empower small enterprises.
The governor also outlined specific sectors receiving major funding, with the health sector alone allocated around 698 billion naira, highlighting the administration’s focus on improving healthcare facilities and services.
Uzodinma stated that these investments are designed to promote sustainable development and enhance residents’ quality of life through improved health and power infrastructure.
Uzodinma pointed out that the budget also includes strategic projects aimed at boosting tourism, agricultural investments, and revitalizing dormant industries within Imo State.
He expressed confidence that these initiatives will generate formidable economic opportunities and foster a resilient local economy that aligns with the broader national development agenda.
Furthermore, the governor stressed the importance of the electrification project and the establishment of the Orashi Energy Free Trade Zone, which are expected to open new commercial pathways and attract investment.
Uzodinma assured the assembly that the budget was crafted with transparency and fiscal prudence in mind, promising that government resources would be channeled toward projects that deliver long-term benefits to Imo’s citizens.
Overall, the proposed 2026 budget reflects Uzodinma’s strategic focus on infrastructural growth and economic self-sufficiency.
By allocating a lion’s share of the funds to capital projects, he aims to lay a solid foundation for sustained development, modernization, and job creation in Imo State, aligning with both local and national economic objectives.
The presentation and subsequent approval of this budget will be a crucial step towards realizing these ambitious development goals.
Uzodinma’s detailed explanation of the figures and their targeted impact underscores his administration’s intent to transform Imo into a thriving economic hub in Nigeria, ultimately fulfilling his administration’s vision of an “economic breakthrough” for the state.