In a significant increase from the N410.13 billion budget of 2024, reflecting the administration's commitment to accelerating development across key sectors of the state, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has presented a proposed budget of N606.99 billion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Anambra State House of Assembly.
A substantial portion of the 2025 budget—N42 billion—has been allocated to security, underscoring the state's determination to address its prevailing security challenges. In his budget presentation, Governor Soludo detailed a breakdown of the security funding, noting an increase in the governor’s security vote from N17 billion in 2024 to N25 billion in 2025. Additionally, the overall security allocation rose from N1.2 billion in 2024 to N2.7 billion for 2025.
Governor Soludo, while delivering his address, recalled the previous year’s budget presentation titled “Changing Gears: The Transformation Agenda Begins.” He highlighted that the 2024 budget of N410 billion had represented a 57.8% increase compared to 2023, with capital expenditure constituting 76.54% and recurrent expenditure accounting for 23.46%. The proposed 2025 budget maintains a similar structure, with capital expenditure taking up 77% (N467.5 billion) and recurrent expenditure accounting for 23% (N139.5 billion).
The governor emphasized that the 2025 budget represents a 48% increase from the previous year. Despite the increased size of the budget, the estimated deficit of N148.3 billion constitutes 24% of the budget, a reduction from the 30% deficit recorded in 2024. Governor Soludo noted that the deficit could be financed through revenue growth or borrowing, though the state had not borrowed to finance deficits in 2023 and 2024. He expressed optimism that 2025 might follow the same pattern, depending on execution.
The governor also highlighted significant budgetary increases across critical sectors: a 45.5% rise for the administrative sector, a 40.1% increase for the economic sector, a 51.3% boost for the judiciary sector, an 82.7% increase for the social sector, and notable advancements in education and health with increases of 101.4% and 57.1%, respectively. Infrastructure investment is also expected to grow by 38.9%.
Governor Soludo reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the transformation agenda, focusing on improving the living standards of residents and ensuring sustainable development across Anambra State.
