Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State has officially laid before the State House of Assembly a comprehensive budget proposal of ₦605,506,764,066.16 for the 2026 fiscal year.
A Budget for Transformation and Livelihood Support
The presentation took place at the Benue State House of Assembly Complex in Makurdi on Monday, December 22, 2025. Governor Alia described the financial plan, christened "Budget of Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth," as a deliberate strategy to reposition the state's economy and elevate the living standards of its residents.
He emphasized that the budget serves as a practical roadmap for inclusive growth, asserting that economic progress must directly result in better conditions for ordinary households. The governor stated that transforming Benue requires targeted investments designed to unlock rural productivity and enhance daily life.
Key Sectoral Allocations and Priorities
The budget outlines three major priority areas with clear capital allocations. The largest share, 55.66%, is dedicated to the Sustained Growth Agenda. This covers significant investments in Education, Health, Infrastructure for long-term competitiveness, and Innovation and Digital Transformation.
The Rural Development agenda receives 30.23% of the capital budget. This portion is earmarked for critical areas including Rural Electrification, Water Supply, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Development.
Finally, 14.11% is allocated to Livelihood Support, which encompasses Social Protection Programs, MSME Growth, and Cooperative Development.
Connecting Communities and Boosting Rural Economy
Governor Alia was unequivocal about the focus on rural transformation. "Transforming our rural economy is not an option, it is a necessity," he declared. He explained that the budget prioritizes investments in roads and infrastructure to unlock productivity and improve quality of life.
"We will embark on a phased rehabilitation and construction of feeder roads linking farming communities to major markets, processing clusters to distribution hubs, and rural areas to health and educational facilities," the Governor detailed.
He highlighted that this initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses, lower transport costs, and stimulate local commerce. The 30.23% allocation to rural development specifically includes funds for rural roads, feeder roads, and bridges. "Our goal is simple: connect farmers to markets, children to schools, and communities to essential services," Alia concluded.
Addressing Rumours and Past Allegations
The budget presentation comes against a backdrop of political rumours and past allegations. The report referenced the recent dismissal of claims that Governor Alia planned to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, had labeled such reports as malicious propaganda, clarifying that the Governor's visits to elder statesmen were part of an inclusive leadership style.
Furthermore, the administration has previously addressed petitions from a civil society group to President Bola Tinubu and anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. The group had raised allegations concerning the mismanagement of security votes, inflated contracts, and the withholding of local government funds. These claims, alongside concerns about security and displacement in the state, form part of the broader context within which this new budget is being proposed.
The ₦605.5 billion 2026 budget now awaits consideration and approval by the Benue State House of Assembly. Its passage will set the financial course for the state's development agenda in the coming year.
