By Chioma Amajor
The Edo State government has emphatically signaled its focus on infrastructure and development following the approval of a massive revised supplementary budget of 799.820 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.
The revised figure represents a significant 18 percent N125 billion increase from the initial N675.220 billion budget proposal. The approval was granted at an emergency Executive Council meeting held on Monday, September 29, 2025, and presided over by the Chairman-in-Council and Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Capital Expenditure Jumps to 70%
The major thrust of the revised budget is a strategic pivot toward capital projects.
Emmanuel Okoebor, the Commissioner for Finance, briefed journalists, explaining the shift: “Previously, recurrent expenditure took about 33 percent of the budget while capital expenditure had 67 percent. With the new revised budget, capital expenditure now stands at 70 percent, while recurrent expenditure is pegged at 30 percent.”
This re-prioritization is underpinned by a substantial allocation of N113 billion of the increment directly to capital expenditure. This boost raises the capital budget from N450 billion to N563 billion, marking a 25 percent rise and underscoring the governor’s commitment to tangible development.
“This shows the clear commitment of Governor Okpebholo to transforming Edo through infrastructure,” Okoebor stated, highlighting that the administration has already completed approximately 254km of roads across the state, with the new funding set to accelerate more construction work.
Minimal Recurrent Increase Covers New Wage
In stark contrast to the capital injection, recurrent expenditure increased by a modest 5 percent N12 billion.
The Commissioner clarified that this small rise is necessary to accommodate the implementation of the new minimum wage and to cover the salaries of the additional staff over 1,000 workers recently employed by the Hospital Management Board to boost healthcare services.
The revised supplementary budget is now set to be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for legislative deliberation and passage. Speaking on the move, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohombamu, stressed that the adjustment is “in line with the government’s pledge to prioritize the welfare of citizens through durable infrastructure, job creation, and improved service delivery.