The Edo State Government has allocated ₦116.46 billion for job creation and employment-related programmes in the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the State House of Assembly by Governor Monday Okpebholo. The bill, according to the government, is designed to accelerate infrastructure renewal, expand employment opportunities, and strengthen social services across the state.
The Commissioner for Finance, Engr. Emmanuel Okoebor, who briefed journalists on the details of the bill, said the 2026 budget aligns with Governor Okpebholo’s SHINE Agenda, which focuses on Security, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Education.
Okoebor explained that “the 2026 budget represents a strategic shift from routine fiscal planning to impact-driven public finance, positioning the budget as a tool for structural correction and inclusive growth.” He noted that the administration deliberately prioritised sectors capable of unlocking productivity, reducing inequality, and integrating underserved communities into the state’s economic framework.
According to him, infrastructure dominates the budget with ₦420.62 billion allocated to the sector. Out of this, over ₦305 billion is earmarked for road construction and rehabilitation. “Governor Okpebholo firmly believes that improved road networks will ease the movement of goods and people, reduce transaction costs, and improve access to healthcare, education, and markets, particularly in rural areas,” Okoebor stated.
He also highlighted that agriculture received ₦68 billion in targeted funding, reflecting the government’s focus on food security, job creation, and rural stability. He added that the provision supports livestock development through a dedicated ministry, offering a structured and preventive response to farmer–herder conflicts while strengthening agricultural value chains.
On the social sector, the Commissioner said the budget provides for education and healthcare through the recruitment of teachers and health workers, as well as continued investment in schools and healthcare facilities. These measures, he noted, are intended to address manpower shortages and improve service delivery across urban and rural communities.
Okoebor emphasized that job creation remains a major feature of the 2026 budget, with ₦116.46 billion specifically set aside for employment-related programmes. The allocation, he said, is expected to generate new jobs through infrastructure development, agricultural expansion, and government-backed initiatives.
The budget also provides ₦8.9 billion for social welfare programmes targeting women, youths, children, and other vulnerable groups, aimed at promoting inclusive growth and shared prosperity.
Okoebor added that the administration has strengthened governance and accountability mechanisms through improved procurement systems, regular publication of budget reports, and the activation of a Project Monitoring Unit. He concluded that Governor Okpebholo’s decision to label the 2026 Appropriation Bill as a “Budget of Hope and Growth” reflects his confidence that it will deliver completed roads, new jobs, improved schools, and better healthcare services across Edo State.
