By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu
Awka, December 29, 2025
In a significant move to set the state’s agenda for the coming year, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday formally signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law. The signing ceremony, held at the Government House in Awka (the Light House), also saw the enactment of three other critical bills, which the Governor described as foundational to “accelerating the state’s development agenda.”
The approved 2026 budget stands at N766 billion, reflecting a N9 billion increase from the initial executive proposal of N757 billion. This adjustment followed deliberations and reviews by the Anambra State House of Assembly, demonstrating the legislative arm’s role in scrutinizing public finance. Governor Soludo acknowledged and accepted the lawmakers’ revisions, stating, “In their wisdom, the House slightly increased the budget size… With that done, we now get to work.”
Governor Soludo emphasized that the budget is a strategic blueprint rather than a mere financial document. “This budget is more than numbers; it is a strategic plan crafted to deliver on our administration’s promises,” he said. The key pillars of the fiscal plan are designed to:
- Drive Economic Growth: Likely through targeted investments in sectors like agriculture, technology, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to stimulate job creation and broaden the state’s revenue base.
- Fast-Track Infrastructure Development: Continuing the administration’s visible focus on road construction, urban regeneration, and public utilities to improve the quality of life and economic connectivity.
- Strengthen Social Welfare Programmes: Allocating resources to healthcare, education, and social safety nets to build a more inclusive and resilient society.
Beyond the appropriation act, the three other bills signed into law address specific governance and service delivery gaps:
- The Anambra State Mission Schools of Nursing and Midwifery (Amendment No. 3) Law, 2025: This amendment is crucial for strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce pipeline. It likely updates standards, funding mechanisms, or operational guidelines for these critical training institutions, ensuring they can produce more qualified nurses and midwives to meet healthcare demands.
- The Anambra State Taxes, Levies and Presumptive Tax (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2025: This law is a cornerstone for fiscal transparency and efficiency. By specifying an official, approved list of collectable taxes and levies, it aims to eliminate arbitrary and illegal taxation, improve the business environment, and boost investor confidence by providing predictability.
- The Anambra State Correctional Service Law, 2025: This represents a significant step in justice sector reform. It likely empowers the state to better manage its correctional facilities, potentially focusing on rehabilitation, decongestion, and aligning operations with modern best practices, which is essential for public safety and human rights.
Governor Soludo stated that these laws collectively “underscored his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and inclusive governance,” creating “an enabling environment for effective service delivery and sustainable growth.” He also commended the Anambra State House of Assembly for their “cooperation and diligence,” highlighting the productive partnership between the executive and legislative arms as crucial for progress.
The enactment of these laws marks a pivotal administrative step, translating policy goals into actionable legal frameworks. The focus now shifts to implementation, as the Soludo administration moves from planning to the execution phase of its agenda for Anambra State in 2026.
Source: NAN
