By Ayomide Otitoju
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on Tuesday ratified the 2026 Appropriation Bill, approving a total budget of ₦1.39 trillion, compared with the adjusted ₦1.65 trillion allocation for the 2025 fiscal year.
The budget, which provides for ₦354.87 billion in recurrent expenditure and ₦1.035 trillion for capital projects, was approved following the presentation of a report by the Chairperson of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Dr Itorobong Etim.
A motion for the adoption of the committee’s report was moved by the lawmaker representing Oruk Anam State Constituency and Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, Sampson Idiong (APC), and seconded by Lawrence Udoide (APC). The motion received unanimous support from members of the House.
Tagged “The People’s Budget of Expansion and Growth,” the ₦1.39 trillion fiscal proposal was presented to the House on November 25, 2025, by Governor Umo Eno for legislative consideration.
Prior to its passage, the Assembly had constituted itself into a Committee of Supply to scrutinise the estimates. The appropriation bill subsequently underwent its third reading before being approved.
Presenting the report, Etim said the budget estimates were prepared in line with Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and relevant provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2004. She noted that the committee adopted an inclusive legislative process, engaging ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), non-governmental organisations, and other stakeholders during a public hearing on the budget.
According to her, following extensive deliberations at the Committee of Supply, members unanimously adopted the report, leading to the ratification of the appropriation bill.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Udeme Otong, commended lawmakers for their cooperation and commitment, which ensured the timely passage of the budget. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Assembly’s management and staff, as well as other stakeholders, to the successful legislative exercise.
The Speaker directed the Clerk of the House, Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to transmit the resolution of the Assembly to Governor Umo Eno for assent.
The House thereafter adjourned plenary to Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
