Akwa Ibom proposes N1.2trn 2027 budget, slashes 2026 estimate by 24%

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state

The Akwa Ibom State Government has proposed a N1.2 trillion budget for 2027, representing a 24 per cent reduction from the N1.584 trillion original estimate for 2026.

The proposal was approved by the State Executive Council at a meeting presided over by Governor Umo Eno at Government House, Uyo, on Wednesday.

Excerpts of the meeting signed by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, is posted on Facebook.

The council directed that the draft estimates be transmitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The proposed budget is N384.3 billion below the original 2026 estimate.

However, after reviewing its 2026 budget downwards to N1.100 trillion through a supplementary appropriation, the government’s proposed 2027 spending is about 9 per cent higher than the revised figure.

The council also approved a 2026 supplementary budget of N1.100 trillion, down from the original N1.584 trillion estimate. The reduction of N483.8 billion represents about a 30.5 per cent cut.

The government said the review was necessary for the “realignment of Government expenditure and priorities in response to the shortfall in projected revenues against budget.”

The supplementary appropriation is expected to accommodate newly established ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development, the Akwa Ibom State Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Akwa Ibom State University of Education.

Other items include equity financing for Ibom Air, solar-powered water projects across the state’s 369 wards, the Ibom International Market in Ikot Ekpene, gully erosion control and equipment for the Command and Control Centre.

The council directed that the supplementary bill be forwarded to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage.

The council ratified project memoranda covering additional works on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly complex and the Ibom International Convention Centre in Uyo.

Other approved projects include the ARISE-GIFA solar-powered water scheme across the 369 wards; access roads and drainage works leading to the terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport; and a 5.66-kilometre flood-control project at Dakkada Luxury Estate, Airport Road, Uyo.

The council also approved plans for the corporate headquarters of the Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation on Dominic Utuk Avenue, Uyo, erosion-control works at the Dakkada Skill Acquisition Centre in Ikot Ada Idem, Ibiono Ibom, and renovation and expansion works at the Ibibio Union Museum and Unity Park.

The memos also covered procurement and distribution of 2026 Christmas packages to residents across the state.

The council received reports on a review of state-owned investments aimed at improving their profitability. It also received plans for the state’s Christmas Unplugged programme.

The statement did not identify the investments examined, disclose their financial performance or outline measures being considered to improve returns.