Edo State has approved a revised supplementary budget of N799.820 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, up from N675.220 billion, representing an 18 percent increase. The approval followed an emergency executive council meeting presided over by Governor Monday Okpebholo, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Fred Itua.
The decision adds about N125 billion to the state’s spending plan, reflecting the government’s stronger push toward capital-intensive projects. The revised budget will be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for legislative consideration and passage.
Commissioner for Finance, Emmanuel Okoebor, explained that the revised budget underscores the administration’s infrastructure focus. “Previously, we had a budget of N675 billion with recurrent expenditure having about 33 per cent and capital 67 per cent. The new revised budget now has about 70 per cent for capital expenditure as against 30 per cent for recurrent expenditure. It shows the commitment of Governor Monday Okpebholo to infrastructural development in Edo State,” Okoebor said.
The commissioner detailed the nature of the increase, noting that recurrent expenditure rose by N12 billion, while capital expenditure jumped by N113 billion. This represents about a 25 percent increment in capital spending compared to just five percent for recurrent costs.
Roads, Wages, and Jobs
The finance commissioner highlighted how the funds will be applied across the state. “It clearly shows that the government is concerned about infrastructural development, making Edo people happy. We have done about 254km of roads across the state, and many more construction works are ongoing,” Okoebor added.
He further explained that the modest increase in recurrent expenditure was driven by wage adjustments and new employment. “Recurrent expenditure has about a five per cent increment as the increase in minimum wage necessitated that increment, including a lot of employment that the present administration did in the hospital management board for over 100,0, and it needs to be captured,” he said.
Legislative Context
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohombamu, confirmed that the revised spending plan would soon be transmitted to the House of Assembly. Lawmakers had already approved a N675 billion budget for 2025 on December 23, 2024, after raising the governor’s initial submission of N605 billion.
The House Committee on Budget and Project Monitoring, chaired by Sunday Fada (PDP, Esan Central), recommended the increase to align with the governor’s five-point agenda. Speaker Blessing Agbebaku later directed the clerk, Yahaya Omogbai, to forward the budget for assent.
Renewed Hope Agenda
Governor Okpebholo had originally presented a N605 billion “Budget of Renewed Hope for a Rising Edo” on December 10, 2024, a 25 percent increase from the 2024 budget. At the time, 37 percent of the estimate, or N223 billion, was earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N381 billion, representing 63 percent, was allocated to capital projects.
The latest supplementary adjustment raises that commitment, pushing capital allocation to 70 percent and underscoring the administration’s priority on roads, infrastructure, and job creation. Analysts say the expansion reflects a more ambitious growth plan for Edo amid rising state-level competition for development in Nigeria.
