Fifteen Nigerian states plan to spend more than ₦10.7tn on infrastructure in 2026, signalling one of the most ambitious subnational capital drives in recent years. Budgets analysed by The PUNCH show strong emphasis on roads, schools, hospitals, and public utilities, as governors seek to boost human capital, improve service delivery, and stimulate regional economies. The real impact, however, will depend on execution speed and efficiency.
Infrastructure gaps remain severe. Nigeria’s annual shortfall is estimated at about $100bn and could rise sharply by 2040. States such as Ebonyi, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Akwa Ibom are allocating over 70 percent of their budgets to capital projects, while Lagos, despite the largest total budget, is taking a more balanced approach between recurrent and capital spending.
Given weak internally generated revenue, most states plan to rely on loans, bonds, grants, and public private partnerships. Analysts stress that long term gains will depend on stronger local economies, disciplined spending, and infrastructure that attracts private investment.
