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By Deborah Agbonika
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Tuesday, presented the 2026 Draft Budget to the Kogi State House of Assembly at the Assembly complex in Lokoja.
Presenting the document titled Budget of Shared Prosperity Driving Sustainable Growth for All, the governor said the fiscal plan is built on improved revenue generation, expenditure discipline, and strategic investments across key sectors.
Governor Ododo noted that Nigeria’s economy in 2025 recorded inflation averaging 24.2%, an exchange rate of ₦1,485 per dollar, and GDP growth of 3.13%.
He explained that Kogi State performed slightly better, with 3.8% real GDP growth in 2025 20.4% state inflation, Unemployment reducing from 18.6% (2024) to 16.2% (2025 Poverty levels dropping from 35% to 32%, especially in rural communities
He said these results show that the administration’s policies are working, particularly in agriculture, solid minerals, construction, and MSME support.
The 2026 economic outlook projects 6.2% growth in agricultural output 4.7% industrial growth, driven by cement, steel, and agro-processing SME contribution to GDP rising from 24% to 27%Over 250,000 jobs to be created through capital projects and MSME programs.Improvement of the Human Development Index from 0.54 to 0.57
Ododo emphasized that the budget strengthens Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), targets recovery of outstanding federal debts, and prioritizes high impact infrastructure projects aligned with the state’s 32 Year Development Plan.
To cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, the budget incorporates Expanded social protection programs Rural infrastructure upgrades Increased agricultural funding and market accessEnhanced SME support through NG-CARES, IFAD-VCDP, L-PRES, RAAMP, and ACRESAL Promotion of CNG-powered vehicles as cheaper alternatives for transportation
The governor thanked the Assembly for its cooperation and called for stronger collaboration from MDAs to ensure effective implementation of the 2026 fiscal plan.
