The Akwa Ibom State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Umo Eno, has expanded the state’s 2025 budget estimate to N1.65 trillion from the initial N955 billion earlier appropriated.
The approval follows “emerging expenditures” across the state, according to a statement issued by Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information, Akwa Ibom State, on September 12, 2025.
The council met on Friday at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Uyo, to realign priorities and provide for emerging expenditures in government projects and programmes.
According to the statement, the Council considered “a memorandum from the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for a 2025 Supplementary Budget Estimate” and subsequently “approved an augmentation to the sum of N695 billion.”
“With this approval, the total budget size for 2025 now stands at N1.65 trillion, comprising N125,664,328,180 for Recurrent Expenditure and N569,335,671,820 for Capital Expenditure, incorporated into the original appropriation of N955 billion,” the statement partly reads.
The Council also approved the amendment of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), raising it from N980 billion to N1.7 trillion, adding that it aligns with the Fiscal Responsibility Law of Akwa Ibom State.
Additionally, the Council undertook a comprehensive review of the State’s healthcare development roadmap as the Governor declared a State of Emergency in the Health Sector to accelerate reforms and deliver efficient healthcare services.
Key directives under this emergency regime, according to the statement, include further upgrades of medical facilities across the State, reopening of the recruitment portal, and engagement of 2,000 healthcare workers, “with the VIN requirement waived for applicants.”
The Council directed the upgrading of health training institutions, enrollment and training of health professionals, including the engagement of retired but willing medical personnel on a contract basis.
The Governor charged council members to demonstrate greater commitment and drive towards the full realization of the ARISE Agenda for the overall development of the State.