Oborevwori Signs Delta’s N1.729 Trillion 2026 Budget into Law

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday signed into law the state’s N1.729 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, one of the largest budgets in the history of the state, raising expectations for accelerated development and improved service delivery.

Christened the “Budget of Accelerating the MORE Agenda,” the 2026 spending plan represents an increase of over 70 per cent compared to the 2025 budget. The state government described the expansion as bold but achievable, anchored on improved revenue performance and stricter fiscal discipline.

In addition to the budget, the governor assented to three other bills: the Delta State Social Investment Programme Law, the Delta State Colleges of Education Law, 2025, and the Delta State Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, 2025. The new laws underscore the administration’s policy focus on social welfare, education reform and enhanced security.

Oborevwori described the 2026 budget as “a budget of vision, action and measurable outcomes,” assuring residents that the government would commence implementation immediately in the new fiscal year. He disclosed that 70 per cent of the total budget has been allocated to capital projects, while 30 per cent is set aside for recurrent expenditure, reflecting a strong emphasis on infrastructure development and economic growth.

The governor attributed the significant budget increase to improved internally generated revenue and prudent financial management in 2025, noting that the state achieved higher revenues without imposing additional taxes or financial burdens on citizens. According to him, these gains validate the administration’s ongoing economic reforms.

Explaining the newly enacted laws, Oborevwori said the Social Investment Programme Law provides a legal framework to ensure fair and transparent access to social interventions for vulnerable and underserved groups. The Colleges of Education Law, 2025, standardises the operations of state-owned colleges and empowers them to award both National Certificate in Education (NCE) qualifications and education degrees, with the aim of strengthening teacher training and supply.

The Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Cultism (Amendment) Law, he added, updates existing legislation to address emerging security challenges, particularly cult-related violence and organised crime in parts of the state.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, said the bills were passed after rigorous legislative scrutiny and extensive sector-by-sector review of the budget, in line with the objectives of the MORE Agenda. He noted that the amended security law also corrects gaps in the earlier legislation, including the lack of a clear definition of cultism.