Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Monday, December 22, presented the 2026 Budget estimates totalling Six Hundred and Five Billion, Five Hundred and Six Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Four Thousand, and Sixty-Six Naira, Sixteen Kobo (₦605,506,764,066.16), before the State Assembly sitting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The 2026 budget is titled “Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth.” It represents a 10 per cent increase over the 2025 budget.
Under the 2026 estimates, Fr. Alia has proposed to spend the sum of Three Hundred and Forty-Two Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-One Naira, Ten Kobo (₦342,420,333,581.10) on capital projects.
He also proposed to spend the sum of Two Hundred and Eighty-One Billion, Eighty-Six Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Four Hundred and Eighty-Five Naira, Five Kobo (₦281,086,430,485.05) on recurrent expenditure, representing a 21.69 per cent increase over the total recurrent cost of the revised 2025 budget.
“These votes will account for the sustenance of the payment of the minimum wage and other incidental costs associated with our overheads. This accounts for 46.4 per cent of the total budget size for 2026,” Fr. Alia told the House.
The governor explained that his administration is committed to building an economy that is resilient, diversified, and future-ready by investing 55.66 per cent of the 2026 capital votes in the completion of ongoing capital projects before starting new ones, in order to maximise impact and fiscal efficiency.
Consequently, he proposed to spend 30.23 per cent of the 2026 estimates on the development of rural and feeder roads. This is followed by education (24.71 per cent), agriculture (17.62 per cent), health (15.35 per cent), and infrastructure (13.49 per cent).
“The 2026 Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth is not merely a compilation of figures. It is a transformational blueprint for the future of Benue State. It represents our promise to farmers, traders, youths, women, teachers, health workers, artisans, and every family pursuing a better life.
“With this budget, we chart a path toward inclusive and sustainable growth—one that revitalises our rural communities and strengthens the bonds of our shared destiny.
“This budget speaks to our collective hope. It speaks to our resilience, and above all, it speaks to our determination to build a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive Benue State,” Fr. Alia told the lawmakers.
