Kogi State Executive Council Approves ₦820 Billion Budget Estimate for 2026

The Kogi State Executive Council has approved a total budget estimate of ₦820.49 billion for the 2026 fiscal year, signalling a major financial plan aimed at sustaining infrastructure growth and improving the welfare of citizens

The approval followed a presentation by the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Idris Ashiru, during the council meeting presided over by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in Lokoja According to Idris, the 2026 fiscal plan, tagged “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” represents about a 35.7 percent increase from the revised 2025 budget. The budget, he said, was designed to reflect the state government’s commitment to inclusive development, fiscal discipline, and sustainable economic growth Giving a breakdown of the budget, the Commissioner revealed that recurrent expenditure is projected at ₦360.67 billion, while capital expenditure stands at ₦459.82 billion, bringing the total to ₦820.49 billion. He explained that the government would focus on boosting internally generated revenue (IGR), strengthening debt recovery systems, and expanding public-private partnerships to finance key infrastructure and social welfare projects. Idris emphasised that the 2026 budget maintains a balance between total revenue and expenditure, adding that continuous monitoring and realistic projections have been built into its framework to ensure effective implementation Governor Ododo described the 2026 appropriation as a reflection of his administration’s vision to consolidate on the gains of ongoing projects and deliver sustainable development across sectors. He noted that the budget would prioritise completion of major infrastructure, support for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and targeted interventions to cushion the effects of economic reforms on citizens. The budget proposal is expected to be forwarded to the Kogi State House of Assembly for consideration and passage in the coming days.