Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has formally presented a massive budget proposal of ₦820.49 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the state's House of Assembly. The presentation took place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in Lokoja, setting the stage for legislative scrutiny and approval.
A Budget Focused on Growth and Infrastructure
Dubbed the "Budget of Shared Prosperity: Driving Sustainable Growth For All," the financial plan outlines a strategic roadmap for the state. Governor Ododo emphasized that the budget is engineered to boost revenue collection, enforce strict discipline in spending, and channel strategic investments into key growth sectors.
The governor highlighted that the proposal represents a significant 35.7 per cent increase over the revised budget for 2025. He described this bold move as the dawn of a new era aimed at fostering sustainable growth and inclusive development across Kogi State.
Key Objectives and Strategic Priorities
In his address to the lawmakers, Governor Ododo detailed the core objectives of the budget. These are designed to tackle both immediate and long-term economic challenges.
The primary goals include:
- Aggressive repayment of debts owed to the federal government.
- Strengthening the investment climate to attract more business.
- Encouraging collaborative public-private investment models.
- Blocking existing revenue leakages to improve internally generated revenue.
- Prioritizing the completion of ongoing projects while launching new initiatives that align with the state's 32-year development plan.
Governor Ododo stated that these measures are intended to support robust economic growth, alleviate financial pressures on the state, and create a more competitive environment for businesses to thrive.
Legislative Commitment to Scrutiny and Accountability
Responding to the presentation, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf Aliyu, assured that the legislature would diligently review the proposal. He framed the budget presentation as more than a routine fiscal event, calling it a "call to collective action" for all arms of government.
The Speaker pledged that the assembly would conduct its work with transparency, accountability, and integrity as guiding principles. He expressed the lawmakers' determination to scrutinize, evaluate, and enhance the proposals to ensure they deliver lasting impact and prosperity for all citizens of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo had previously unveiled the draft budget to members of the State Executive Council in November 2025 at the Government House in Lokoja, paving the way for its formal submission to the legislative arm.
