By Benjamin Abah
Lokoja
Kogi State Executive Council has approved the state’s 2026 draft budget of ₦820.49 billion.
The budget was approved by the council during a meeting in Lokoja on Thursday.
Titled “Budget of Shared Prosperity”, the ₦820.49 billion budget estimate represents a 35.7% increase from the 2025 revised budget, signaling a new era of sustainable growth and inclusive development in the state.
While briefing the press after the State Executive Council Meeting, the Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, revealed that the budget focuses on five key areas : boosting internal revenue, strengthening debt recovery, fostering a business-friendly environment, deepening public-private partnerships, and ensuring project completion.
He said : “The 2026 Budget proposals reflect a robust and balanced financial strategy emphasizing enhanced revenue generation, strategic expenditure control, and a strong commitment to capital investment.
“The significant increase in both recurrent revenue and capital expenditure underscores the Government’s determination to expand infrastructure and improve service delivery.
“Effective monitoring of revenue inflows and strict fiscal discipline will be critical to achieving the desired outcomes.
“The total estimated Revenue (Recurrent and Capital) of ₦820,490,585,443.
The total estimated Expenditure (Recurrent and Capital) of ₦820,490,585,443.
“The balanced 2026 Draft Budget of ₦820,490,585,443” he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, highlighting significant progress in the state’s security architecture.
The meeting also addressed critical issues, including access to clean water, road safety, and land administration reforms.
Fanwo noted that Governor Ododo has directed all the commissioners to sink three boreholes each in their LGAs and tasked the council to take over land consent authority to curb fraudulent deals.
The inclusive meeting, which included former commissioners, reflected Governor Ododo’s commitment to unity and collective progress.
Former Commissioner, Honourable Salisu Sani Ogu, praised the Governor’s leadership, saying, “He has shown a desire to carry everyone along and build on the foundation laid since 2016.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
