Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, on Tuesday presented the 2026 draft budget proposal of ₦757.88 billion to the Anambra State House of Assembly, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accelerated development as he enters the final months of his first term.
Tagged “Changing Gears 3.0: Solution Continues,” the budget represents a 24.1% increase from the 2025 fiscal plan and, according to the Governor, signals “no slowing down” in the state’s transformational agenda.
Speaking before the lawmakers in Awka, Soludo expressed deep gratitude to Ndi Anambra for his recent re-election, which he described as “a historic 73% mandate,” pledging to deliver even more in the years ahead. He also commended the 8th Assembly for its partnership and productivity, noting the passage of over 20 landmark bills during the administration.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Soludo reported unprecedented progress in infrastructure, including:
- 900km of roads under construction
- 600km asphalted in 44 months
- 700km of old roads repaired
- Completion of Ekwulobia Flyover, Aroma Link Bridge, and 8 bridges
- Full completion of the long-awaited Government House and Governor’s Lodge, now known as the Light House
- Restoration of urban and semi-urban water schemes after decades of neglect
- A completed Rail Transport Masterplan
- Launch of the Solution Fun City, now the largest entertainment complex in West Africa, with over 100,000 visitors in 3.5 months
He also confirmed that major hospitality and tourism projects including a 10-storey Five-Star Hotel and the Agulu Lake Beach Resort are progressing.
Soludo described education and health as core pillars of his human capital agenda.
In education, the state has:
- Hired 8,115 teachers, ending the era of schools without teachers
- Sustained free education from kindergarten to senior secondary level
- Increased public school enrollment by 47% (secondary) and 27% (primary)
- Rolled out 22 smart schools
- Restored Anambra’s formerly declining public school system
In health, the state has:
- Provided free antenatal and delivery services to 161,197 women, including 594 Caesarean sections with zero recorded mortality
- Built four new General Hospitals
- Upgraded 326 Primary Health Centres
- Completed the Trauma Centre at COOU Teaching Hospital
- Made major progress toward completing Africa’s largest Coordinated Wholesale Drug Market in Oba
Through the flagship One Youth, Two Skills program, the government has trained and empowered 13,300 young entrepreneurs, many of whom, according to the Governor, now “proudly describe themselves as young millionaires.”
Anambra’s digital transformation drive via the Solution Innovation District (SID) has trained 95,735 youths in digital skills. The SID headquarters—described as a “mini Silicon Valley”—is nearing completion.
The proposed 2026 budget allocates:
- ₦595.3bn (79%) to capital expenditure
- ₦162.6bn (21%) to recurrent expenditure
Soludo described this ratio as proof of his administration’s frugality and long-term vision.
The ₦225.7bn budget deficit will be financed through hybrid methods including improved IGR, concessionary borrowing, and possible privatization proceeds. He emphasized that his administration has not borrowed since inception and will only take loans for productive, revenue-generating projects.
Next year’s priorities include:
- Construction of three new cities: Awka 2.0, Greater Niger, and the Aerotropolis Industrial City
- PPP-driven rail transport development
- Expansion of mass transit, including new buses, boats, and jetties
- Completion of the Anambra specialist teaching hospital (Oncology-focused)
- Construction of new public primary schools in 30 communities that currently have none
- Scaling up digital skills and youth entrepreneurship programs
- Expansion of water schemes and power access under the new Anambra Electricity Market framework
- Social support for vulnerable households, including free services and agricultural seedlings
Soludo acknowledged that IGR remains the state’s weakest link, announcing that a technology-driven revenue overhaul will soon begin. The governor encouraged residents to support this effort, stressing that “the future we seek cannot be funded by wishful thinking.”
He also reaffirmed Anambra’s top rankings in fiscal transparency and fiscal sustainability, attributing this to disciplined spending and reduced cost of governance.
The Governor ended with gratitude to government institutions, community leaders, security agencies, civil servants, and citizens, promising that every kobo will be managed prudently as the state continues its march toward becoming a livable, prosperous, smart mega homeland.
“Anambra State is indeed on the rise,” Soludo declared as he laid the 2026 budget before the Assembly.
