Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has formally presented a proposed budget of ₦605.5 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, marking a significant 10% increase over the 2025 budget and solidifying his administration’s strategic focus on rural transformation.
The budget, christened “Rural Development, Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth,” is more than a financial document; it is a declaration of policy intent. It seeks to address a long-standing structural imbalance in Nigeria’s development, where urban centers often receive disproportionate investment. Governor Alia framed the proposal as a corrective measure, stating that Benue’s rural areas—the state’s agricultural and cultural heartland—have endured “years of underinvestment.” This budget aims to reverse that trend, positioning rural development as the primary engine for inclusive economic stability.
Budget Breakdown: A Shift Towards Capital Investment
A detailed analysis of the ₦605.5bn proposal reveals a deliberate allocation strategy:
- Recurrent Expenditure: ₦281.09 billion (46.4%). This portion, covering salaries, the new minimum wage, and government overheads, sees a substantial 21.69% increase from 2025. This rise is critical, as it must accommodate wage adjustments and the ongoing costs of running the state apparatus, which forms the baseline for any development effort.
- Capital Expenditure: ₦342.42 billion (53.6%). This is the core of the administration’s development promise. Allocating more than half the budget to capital projects signifies a prioritization of long-term infrastructure and growth initiatives over day-to-day operations. However, it is noteworthy that this represents only a modest 1.66% increase over the revised 2024 capital budget, suggesting a consolidation phase after potentially larger initial investments.
Decoding the “Rural Development” Theme: What It Could Mean in Practice
While the speech outlines broad priorities, the true test will be in the specific projects funded. The theme suggests several concrete areas of focus:
- Infrastructure: Expect significant allocations for rural road networks to connect farmers to markets, potable water schemes, and electrification projects to unlock economic potential.
- Livelihood Support: This likely encompasses grants or soft loans for farmers, investments in agricultural extension services, storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses, and support for small-scale agro-processing industries to add value locally.
- Sustained Growth: This points to longer-term investments in rural healthcare and education facilities, as well as digital connectivity, to improve human capital and create an environment where growth can be self-perpetuating.
The Governor described the presentation as an act of “duty, responsibility and optimism,” reaffirming his commitment to the people’s aspirations.
The Legislative Pathway and Public Scrutiny
In response, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Alfred Emberga, acknowledged the budget as the administration’s third and pledged “prompt consideration.” He urged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to cooperate fully with legislative committees during the crucial budget defence sessions. This stage is where the governor’s broad themes are translated into detailed, line-item expenditures. Public and civil society scrutiny during this phase is vital to ensure the budget aligns with the stated rural development goals and is “workable, people-oriented and transparent,” as the Speaker emphasized.
The proposed 2026 budget for Benue State represents a clear philosophical direction. Its success, however, will not be measured by the size of the figure presented, but by the tangible improvements in the lives of rural dwellers—better roads, increased farm yields, higher incomes, and improved access to essential services. The coming legislative process and subsequent implementation will determine if this budget truly becomes the transformative tool it is envisioned to be.
Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Sandra Umeh
