In Ebonyi State, the recently concluded citizens’ engagement process has emerged as a defining feature of the 2026 fiscal planning cycle, underscoring the administration’s deepening commitment to inclusive governance.
According to Dr. Boniface Nwankwo, Special Assistant to the Governor on Documentation, the active participation of citizens has significantly shaped the priorities of the 2026 Budget Estimate presented by his Principal, Builder Francis Nwifuru.
Governor Nwifuru on Monday, November 24, 2025, unveiled the ₦884.87 billion spending plan, aptly themed “Budget of Actualization and Hope.”
He emphasized that the 2026 estimate is strategically designed to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects while accelerating coordinated development across the State.
Dr. Nwankwo noted that contributions from civil society organizations, community associations, and other stakeholder groups added depth and clarity to the budget formulation process, ensuring that the proposal reflects the genuine needs and aspirations of the people.
The Governor’s adoption of this participatory approach aligns with his People’s Charter of Needs philosophy, which prioritizes community engagement and transparent service delivery.
The engagement sessions not only allowed the Government to highlight its achievements in the 2025 fiscal year but also created a vital platform for citizens to evaluate existing policies, critique programmes, and suggest improvements.
Nwankwo stressed that this feedback mechanism strengthens responsive governance and reinforces trust between the Government and the governed.
Through the citizens’ interface, the administration gained clearer insight into the priority areas expected to drive the State’s development agenda in 2026.
Nwankwo described Governor Nwifuru as a “true democrat” whose insistence on participatory governance ensures that policy and budgetary decisions reflect the pulse of the people.
The inclusive process, he said, has refined the State’s planning framework, resulting in a more people-centered budget that aligns with both immediate needs and long-term aspirations.
He maintained that with its thematic focus and consultative grounding, the 2026 budget is projected to usher in a phase of purposeful, transformative governance under the leadership of a tested and proven administrator.
