The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, unveiled a bold and expansive N607 billion draft budget for the 2025 fiscal year during a presentation to the State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The budget, themed “Changing Gears 2.0: Acceleration and Execution,” marks a significant leap, reflecting a 48% increase from the N410 billion budget approved for 2024.
In his presentation, Soludo outlined the strategic focus of the budget, highlighting its emphasis on rapid execution and sustained growth.
The proposed budget allocates N139.5 billion, or 23%, to recurrent expenditure, while a substantial N467.5 billion—constituting 77% of the total—is earmarked for capital expenditure.
The governor emphasized that this allocation mirrors the 2024 ratios and underscores the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic transformation.
Despite the ambitious scale, the budget estimates a deficit of N148.3 billion, representing 24% of the total size—a marked reduction from the 30% deficit in the 2024 budget.
Soludo assured lawmakers that the state remains committed to prudent fiscal management, having avoided borrowing to cover deficits in 2023 and 2024.
He expressed optimism that increased revenue generation and strategic borrowing, if necessary, would keep the state on course.
“Mr. Speaker, honourable members, from the foregoing, it is evident that there is no stopping our consistent acceleration in a steadfast execution mode,” the governor declared. “For sure, 2025 is a governorship election year in Anambra State. While the politicians will focus on politics, we will focus 100% on executing our multi-faceted agenda with a deadline.”
Soludo noted that the budget prioritizes several sectors with substantial increases compared to 2024, including:
Education: 101.4% increase
Health: 57.1% increase
Social Sector: 82.7% increase
Judiciary: 51.3% increase
Infrastructure: 38.9% increase
A minimum of 70% of the total budget is dedicated to infrastructure, economic transformation, and human capital development.
Soludo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to its iconic projects, including the development of Awka 2.0, Onitsha 2.0, and a new industrial city.
The recently completed master plans for these cities, alongside a railway feasibility study, are set to bolster the state’s transformation agenda.
International partners such as Afreximbank and the African Development Bank have pledged support for these initiatives.
As part of efforts to attract investors, Soludo highlighted the state’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business.
The second edition of the Anambra Investment Summit concluded with 10 elite companies signing Memoranda of Understanding, signaling confidence in the state’s economic potential. Plans are underway to construct Africa’s largest shopping mall and create leisure centers across the state.
Further demonstrating the state’s ambition, Soludo shared updates on the Chinua Achebe International Airport, noting that recent investments have enhanced its night landing capabilities, positioning it as a strategic hub for regional trade and tourism.
Soludo reiterated his administration’s vision to make Anambra a leader in education.
“Our goal remains to provide free and qualitative education for every child in Anambra to enable them to succeed. We will maintain our free education policy and continue to pay the newly agreed operational costs for schools.”
The government is upgrading 22 secondary schools into smart institutions, setting a benchmark for excellence in education.
Through the ASUBEB programme, primary schools will continue to benefit from infrastructure upgrades. In addition, the salaries of government teachers deployed to mission schools amounting to over N1.2 billion monthly, excluding pensions, reflect the administration’s investment in the education sector.
To support rural communities and the vulnerable, the state will distribute seedlings of crops like coconut, palm, ukwa, and soursop to over 100,000 households in 2025, building on the success of the 2024 initiative.
Grants to microbusinesses across 326 wards will also continue under the administration’s “Onye Aghana Nwanneya” policy.
The One-Youth, Two-Skills programme will expand to accommodate more participants, empowering Anambra’s youth with practical skills.
The state also plans to grow its One Million Digital Tribe through enhanced digital training at the Solution Innovation District, fostering a generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs.
Soludo concluded his presentation with a pledge to maintain momentum in delivering on the administration’s promises, ensuring Anambra remains a model of sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.
