THIS DAWN — Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, on Tuesday presented a draft budget of ₦757.88 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Anambra State House of Assembly.
This marks the next phase of what his administration describes as the fast-moving transformation of the state into a “livable and prosperous smart mega city.”
Presenting the budget—appropriately themed “Changing Gears 3.0: Solution Continues”—Soludo said the 24.1% increase from the 2025 fiscal plan reflects the state’s determination to intensify implementation of its long-term development strategy, especially as his first term winds down in March 2026.
The Governor expressed gratitude to Ndi Anambra for renewing his mandate with a historic 73% vote in the recently concluded governorship election, saying the resounding endorsement has further energized his team to “accelerate beyond previous limits.”
A Budget Built on Execution, Not Rhetoric
The proposed 2026 budget features ₦162.6 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦595.3 billion for capital projects.
This means 79% of total spending is dedicated to tangible, developmental investments.
Soludo described this as evidence of the administration’s commitment to frugality, transparency, and long-term value creation.
The Governor noted that, consistent with existing policy, Anambra would only contemplate borrowing under “two strict conditions”:
- that loans must be concessionary, and,
- only for projects capable of generating measurable returns.
Although the 2026 budget projects a deficit of ₦225.7 billion, Soludo emphasised that his administration has not borrowed since its inception and may not need to do so next year, depending on revenue performance and execution pace.
Massive Infrastructure Modernisation to Continue
Soludo reported extensive progress in infrastructure during the past three years, including over 900 kilometres of roads under construction, more than 600 kilometres paved, and eight major bridges underway or completed.
Notable milestones include the completed Ekwulobia Flyover, the Aroma Link Bridge, and the new Government House and Governor’s Lodge—named “The Light House.”
He reaffirmed that 2026 will sustain and expand ongoing works, including:
- the dualisation of critical state and federal roads,
- the construction of new flyovers,
- expansion of mass transit systems,
- new jetties,
- the acquisition of waterway transport vessels, and,
- implementation of the state’s newly completed Rail Transport Masterplan through PPP arrangements.
The year will also see significant progress in the development of three new urban centres—Awka 2.0, the Greater Niger City, and an Aerotropolis/Industrial City.
Human Capital Revolution to Deepen
Describing education and health as the cornerstones of his long-term transformation strategy, Soludo highlighted dramatic progress already achieved.
In education, the recruitment of over 8,100 teachers, free education from kindergarten to SS3, and the rollout of 22 digital “smart schools” have restored confidence in the public school system, with enrolment surging by nearly 50% in secondary schools.
For 2026, the government will construct model public primary schools in 30 communities where none previously existed, expand ongoing upgrades in existing schools, and establish two specialist tertiary institutions.
The health sector will witness the completion of:
- a new College of Nursing,
- ongoing upgrades to 326 primary health centres,
- commissioning of a specialist teaching hospital focusing on oncology, and,
- continued expansion of free maternal healthcare.
Over 161,000 women have already benefited from free antenatal and delivery services, including 594 caesarean sections recorded with zero mortality.
Youth Empowerment and Digital Transformation
Soludo reaffirmed the centrality of youth empowerment in his development philosophy.
Through the One Youth, Two Skills programme, 13,300 young entrepreneurs have been trained and empowered, with many now describing themselves as “young millionaires.”
The state’s Solution Innovation District (SID)—envisioned as Anambra’s own Silicon Valley—has already trained 95,735 young people in digital skills.
Its iconic headquarters is nearing completion and will become a hub for innovation, tech incubation, and entrepreneurship.
In 2026, the programme will scale further, while additional digital and vocational capacity-building initiatives will target tens of thousands more youth.
A Strong Push on Agriculture, Water, Power, and Social Protection
Soludo announced that the core of Anambra’s poverty-reduction strategy remains agricultural empowerment, including the distribution of high-yield coconut, oil palm, breadfruit, and other seedlings to over 200,000 households.
This will continue in 2026, alongside micro-grants to small businesses across the state’s 326 wards.
The Governor reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to expanding potable water supply, describing water access as “a necessity, not a luxury.”
Urban and semi-urban water schemes once moribund have been restored, and the aim for 2026 is statewide, reliable access for homes and industries.
Underpower reforms driven by the newly inaugurated Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission (ASERC), the state is now fully positioned for private-sector investments under the decentralised electricity market framework.
Fiscal Discipline as a Guiding Principle
Soludo acknowledged that Internally Generated Revenue remains the state’s weakest area, with collections historically falling short of potential.
He announced that in the coming weeks, his administration will roll out a new, technology-driven revenue automation system, aimed at blocking leakages, widening the tax net, and easing compliance for willing payers.
He appealed to Ndi Anambra to support the reform, noting that “the future we seek cannot be funded by wishful thinking.”
A Blueprint for the Next Phase of Transformation
The Governor described the 2026 budget not merely as financial estimates but as “a blueprint of solution, a disciplined growth strategy, and a framework for sustained transformation.”
He pledged continued fiscal prudence, transparency, and maximum value for every kobo spent.
Closing his address, he thanked the House of Assembly, public and civil servants, security agencies, community leaders, development partners, and Ndi Anambra for their partnership.
Soludo reaffirmed that the Solution agenda will continue with renewed vigour.
“Anambra State is indeed on the rise,” Soludo declared. “And in 2026, we will change gears again.”
