Anambra State’s Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ms. Chiamaka Nnake, has highlighted the state’s 2025 budget of N606.99 billion, which she says will advance Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s industrialisation agenda and promote infrastructural growth.
The budget, christened “Changing Gears 2.0,” represents a 48 percent increase over the previous year’s budget of N410 billion. Nnake, while detailing the breakdown, stated that N467.5 billion would be allocated to capital expenditure, accounting for 77 percent of the budget, while N139.5 billion would be earmarked for recurrent expenditure, representing 23 percent.
However, the budget has a deficit of N148.3 billion, which the government plans to finance through revenue growth or borrowing from financial institutions. Nnake explained that the deficit constitutes 24 percent of the total budget and will be addressed through various financial mechanisms.
“The vision of this administration, as stated by the Governor, is to transform Anambra into a destination rather than a departure lounge, and this budget will help achieve that,” Nnake remarked. She further noted that the administration’s focus areas include the economic sector, which will receive 56.6 percent of the budget, followed by the administration (12.7 percent), the judiciary (2.9 percent), and the social sector (20.9 percent).
A significant portion of the capital expenditure will go towards infrastructure, with an estimated N200 billion allocated for the completion of ongoing road projects and the construction of new ones. In addition, N32 billion will be spent on developing new cities in Onitsha, Awka, and the Industrial City.
Tourism development will receive a N10 billion allocation for the establishment of leisure and entertainment centers, while N2 billion will be directed to micro-enterprises. Furthermore, N5 billion has been earmarked for information, communication, and social orientation.
The budget also includes funds for the development of key projects, such as a N15 billion allocation for the construction of a 4-star hotel and new markets, and N5 billion for the fitting and equipping of the new Government House. Additionally, N3 billion will be set aside for completing the Solution Innovation District building, with N5 billion reserved for matching funds to secure counterpart funding.
In terms of security, N2 billion will be allocated for the purchase of armored personnel carriers and other equipment, while N2.5 billion will be used to enhance mass transport services through buses, jetties, and boats. Riverine and oil-producing communities will receive N500 million, with N2 billion set aside for the state’s oil palm and coconut seedling program.
Sustainability initiatives include a N7 billion budget for solar street lights and solar-powered government offices, and N5 billion for the revitalization of urban water schemes. Other notable provisions include N1.5 billion for the construction of the House of Assembly Legislative Quarters and N2.24 billion to expand the operations of the Solution Innovation District.
Education and health are high priorities, with N11 billion allocated for the renovation, construction, and equipping of smart schools, and another N3 billion for student loans and bursaries. The state has also proposed N22 billion for the development of educational institutions. In health, N3 billion has been earmarked for the construction and equipping of general hospitals, with additional provisions for expanding free antenatal and delivery services (N1 billion) and constructing a cancer hospital (N5 billion). Notably, N7 billion will be used for the construction and equipping of a College of Nursing and the extension of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Aguata.
Nnake also pointed out that N1.5 billion will be allocated for the construction of a stand-alone trauma center, and the upgrading of the Teaching Hospital will receive N1 billion.
Through this budget, the Soludo administration aims to continue its efforts to drive economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare for Anambra residents.
