By Eme Offiong, Calabar

The Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has presented a ₦780.59 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

Tagged the “Budget of Inclusive Growth,” the proposal seeks to consolidate on the achievements of the 2025 budget, which centred on the People First Agenda.

Presenting the bill, Governor Otu described the 2026 appropriation as a “sacred, social contract between the government and its citizens, a public declaration of the collective intent to the development of Cross River State.”

According to the governor, the “Budget of Inclusive Growth” was developed following “wide-ranging consultations with civil society, private sector players, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) and the general public.”

Governor Otu explained that his administration would henceforth adopt the Human Development Index (HDI), rather than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as the main measure of progress, in line with the People First agenda, which prioritises education, healthcare, social welfare, and rural electrification.

He stated, “We will judge progress by how much better our people live, learn, and thrive. The impact of development must be felt in the lives of our people.”

Breakdown of the 2026 Budget

Giving a breakdown of the 2026 proposed budget, Otu said the ₦780.59 billion total represents a 17 percent increase over the 2025 fiscal policy.

He explained that ₦519.6 billion (67%) has been allocated for capital expenditure, while ₦260.96 billion (33%) is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

On a sectoral basis, he disclosed that “the Economic Sector has been allocated ₦421 billion; Social Services has ₦163 billion and ₦164 billion for General Administration. ₦28 billion has been allocated to Law and Justice sector while we are proposing ₦3.6 billion for Regional Development.”

He added, “This budget is designed to strengthen our revenue base, drive human capital development, and secure a prosperous, peaceful, and resilient Cross River State.”

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2025 Budget Performance

The governor noted that the 2025 “Budget of Sustainable Growth”—initially pegged at ₦538 billion—was revised upward to ₦642 billion, following improved revenue inflows and prudent financial management.

He explained that the upward review was necessary to address urgent infrastructure needs and to provide counterpart funding for national and international projects.

Otu highlighted that his administration introduced the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative to tackle preventable maternal and infant deaths, a project that required immediate funding.

He added, “Our budget is performing optimally. Cross River ranked number one nationwide in routine immunisation coverage with 95 percent, a clear proof that our People First agenda is working.”

The governor emphasised that the achievements recorded cut across sectors, with signature infrastructure projects under the 2025 budget now at advanced stages and expected to be completed within the approved timelines.

He also commended the legislature and judiciary for their support, which he said had strengthened the executive’s resolve to accelerate development across both rural and urban communities.

Legislative Response

Earlier, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, praised the governor for the progress achieved in infrastructure development across the state.

He urged the executive to prioritise unresolved challenges before the end of the 2025 fiscal year.

Ayambem noted that the presentation of the Appropriation Bill was in line with Sections 108(1) and 121(1) of the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He assured, “As a legislature, we are willing and ever ready to make valuable sacrifices and contributions towards ensuring that the three arms of government enjoy a cordial relationship for the benefit of delivering the much-needed democratic dividends to our people.

“We shall continue to make laws that promote good governance, encourage transparency and accountability in our public institutions, coupled with improved service delivery,” he said.

The Speaker further expressed optimism that the 2026 budget would sustain progress in key sectors.

“As you present the 2026 Budget, we are hopeful that quality education will continue to be guaranteed in our state, roads and other infrastructure will be upgraded, as you also continue to attract more investment opportunities into the state,” he added.

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has launched a women’s empowerment initiative aimed at promoting economic inclusion and self-reliance among families across the state.

The programme, which provides N50,000 monthly support to 5,200 women drawn from the 44 local government areas of Kano State, was officially flagged off at the Government House, Kano.

Governor Yusuf said the initiative demonstrates his administration’s commitment to reducing poverty, strengthening small-scale enterprises, and enhancing financial independence among vulnerable women.”

“This support is designed to help women expand their small businesses, stabilize their households, and contribute meaningfully to our state’s economy,” the Governor stated.

He reaffirmed that “women remain key drivers of social and economic development, adding that his government will continue to introduce policies that promote inclusion and improve livelihoods at the grassroots.”

The Chairperson of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano State Chapter, Hajiya Saadatu Yusha’u, described the initiative as a landmark in grassroots empowerment.

Hajiya Yusha’u commended the Governor for prioritising women’s welfare and urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds effectively to transform their livelihoods.

The event featured the symbolic presentation of empowerment funds to selected women from different local government areas, marking the official commencement of the monthly disbursement across the state.

Mercy Chukwudiebere