Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State has presented the budget breakdown for 2025, which is the theme "Budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and Digital Economy."
The presentation took place today, February 19, 2025, at the conference hall of the Benue State Budget and Economic Planning Commission in Makurdi.
Representing the governor, the Director General of the commission, Professor Jerome Andohol, delineated the key objectives of the budget, placing emphasis on investments in human capital, infrastructural rehabilitation, revitalization of investments, and the promotion of fiscal sustainability.
He highlighted plans aimed at enhancing the digital economy, food security, security, and social welfare.
The total budget is set at ₦550.1 billion, comprising a capital expenditure of ₦357.6 billion and a recurrent expenditure of ₦192.5 billion. Infrastructure receives the largest allocation at 20%, followed closely by Education, Health, and Agriculture, each of which is allocated 15%. Additional allocations include Security (8%), Commerce (10%), Digital Economy (3%), Social Welfare (0.93%), and Miscellaneous (6%).
Notable highlights of the budget indicate that the Education sector will experience the construction of a Faculty of Engineering at Benue State University, Ihugh; upgrades to secondary and technical colleges across the three senatorial districts; and the renovation and construction of primary schools in all 23 local government areas. In the health sector, an upgrade of a general hospital in Zone A to a specialist hospital is also planned.
In the area of Commerce and Investment, twelve state-of-the-art markets will be established across the three senatorial districts, alongside numerous initiatives across other sectors of the economy.
Professor Andohol urged the residents of Benue to support Governor Alia’s administration, characterizing the budget as a roadmap for sustainable development.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Matthew Aboh, commended the government’s commitment to growth and appealed to the media to inform the public about its initiatives for the collective benefit of the state.
The budget will be financed through federal allocations, internally generated revenue, grants, and capital development funds.