The Plateau State Government has proposed a ₦817.51 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a sharp increase from the ₦499.45 billion approved for the 2025 fiscal year.
The 2026 proposal, tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Sustainability II,” was developed within the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) and presented in compliance with the Plateau State Fiscal Responsibility Law, 2024.
Size and Growth of the Budget
A breakdown of the figures shows that the 2026 budget exceeds the 2025 approved budget by ₦318.06 billion, reflecting the state government’s intention to consolidate ongoing reforms and scale up development projects under the “Time is Now” administration of Governor Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
While the 2025 budget, tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Sustainability,” stood at ₦499.45 billion, the 2026 proposal expands the state’s fiscal space, particularly in capital investment and infrastructure development.
Revenue Comparison
In 2025, the state relied largely on recurrent and capital revenue sources, with total revenue matching the approved budget size of ₦499.45 billion.
For 2026, projected revenue is more diversified, with a total of ₦817.51 billion expected from:
- ₦64.50 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
- ₦378.62 billion Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC)
- ₦62.51 billion in aids and grants
- ₦311.89 billion from the Capital Development Fund (CDF)
Expenditure Pattern: 2025 vs 2026
The 2025 budget placed a stronger emphasis on capital expenditure, which accounted for 58.51 per cent of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure made up 41 per cent.
In the 2026 proposal, capital expenditure has increased significantly to ₦501.09 billion, representing about 61 per cent of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure stands at ₦316.42 billion.
Personnel costs in the 2026 budget are estimated at ₦98.30 billion, with other recurrent expenditure pegged at ₦218.11 billion, indicating the government’s effort to balance wage obligations with development spending.
Sectoral Shifts
Sectoral allocations in 2026 show a clear shift toward infrastructure, economic growth, and human capital development when compared with 2025.
In the 2025 budget, major allocations were directed toward works and transport, education, health, and administrative services.
For 2026, the economic sector received the largest share with ₦376.91 billion, followed by the social sector with ₦215.85 billion, the administrative sector with ₦201.07 billion, and law and justice with ₦23.68 billion.
Notably, allocations to education (₦91.30 billion) and health (₦88.36 billion) in 2026 surpass their respective funding levels in 2025, underscoring the administration’s renewed focus on human capital development.
Infrastructure and Development Focus
Compared to 2025, funding for infrastructure-related sub-sectors such as works and transport (₦92.71 billion), water, sanitation and energy (₦107.08 billion), and agriculture and rural development (₦48.01 billion) saw notable increases in 2026, as the government seeks to reduce infrastructure deficits and strengthen food security.
Accountability and Implementation
The government reiterated that all revenue-generating MDAs have been mandated to ensure transparency and accountability in revenue collection and budget implementation, while civil society organisations were urged to monitor projects to ensure value for money.
The administration said the expanded 2026 budget is designed not only to consolidate gains recorded in 2025, such as improved road maintenance and prompt payment of salaries and pensions, but also to deepen economic reforms and address the state’s security and development challenges.
