Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has presented a proposed budget of N396.5 billion for the 2025 fiscal year, focusing on critical sectors such as health, industrialization, and education.
The budget, which represents a 0.98% increase over the 2024 allocation, was presented at the Ebonyi House of Assembly to enable legislative action and approval.
With a capital expenditure of N284.5 billion and recurrent expenditure of N112.1 billion, the proposed budget places significant emphasis on the development of the health sector, allocating N70.1 billion.
Education follows closely with N39.0 billion, as the governor’s administration seeks to foster economic self-reliance through curriculum reforms that prioritize technology, science, and entrepreneurial skills.
Nwifuru stressed that industrialization remains at the heart of his administration’s agenda, with substantial investments planned in economic development and infrastructure. The economic and social sectors dominate the proposed budget, with N200.1 billion and N141.2 billion allocated respectively, which together represent over 80% of the total budget.
Speaking in the hallowed chamber, Governor Nwifuru stated that the budget is designed to improve the standard of living in the state, create more jobs, and promote sustainable growth.
He called for swift legislative approval to ensure timely implementation of the budget’s ambitious projects.
“Pursuant to this, therefore, we have introduced many reforms in the curriculum of the basic and secondary education sectors to emphasise technology and science.
“To give credence to this, our administration has set out to rejig teaching and learning in public schools through the employment of teachers with bias in technology and entrepreneurial education,” he said.
The proposed budget also allocates N50.9 billion for administrative and law enforcement sectors, while provisions for justice and law enforcement have been made at N4.1 billion.
“The task of governance is not an easy one, and the task of meeting people’s needs is even more challenging due to the multiplicity of human wants.
“But we are determined to steadily pursue our commitment as outlined in the People’s Charter of Needs, the guiding compass of our administration to logical conclusion.
“We acknowledge that we are not yet where we ought to be, but we have made significant progress. We will not relent until we reach the shore.
“My administration therefore solicits the understanding and cooperation of all Ebonyi people.
“Mr. Speaker and dear Distinguished members of this great Assembly, it is my earnest desire that this budget proposal be given speedy and favorable consideration for the achievement of its lofty plans for the State and the people.”
