Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has unveiled plans to procure four aircraft worth a total of N41.13 billion as part of his administration’s efforts to expand Enugu Air, the proposed state-owned airline. The initiative, first announced in October 2023, is part of a broader vision to establish Enugu Air within 15 months and position Enugu State as a major commercial hub in Nigeria.
This announcement was made during Governor Mbah’s presentation of the 2025 Budget Appropriation Bill to the Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday. The budget, tagged the “Budget of Exponential Growth and Inclusive Prosperity,” proposes a total expenditure of N971.08 billion, which is a significant 86.4% increase from the state’s 2024 budget of N521.56 billion.
Breaking down the 2025 budget, Governor Mbah explained that it comprises N837.94 billion for Capital Expenditure, representing 86% of the total budget, and N133.14 billion for Recurrent Expenditure, accounting for 14%. He highlighted the heavy allocation towards transformative projects aimed at modernizing infrastructure, improving social services, and boosting economic growth.
“In the area of transport, we will be investing N41.13 billion to expand Enugu Air with the acquisition of four additional aircraft,” the governor stated. He also announced plans to complete the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and commence the construction of an international cargo terminal.
Additionally, the state will launch a modern taxi scheme in partnership with the private sector to enhance urban and inter-urban transportation for the people of Enugu, known as Ndi Enugu.
Governor Mbah emphasized that the 2025 budget prioritizes investment in education, which receives the largest sectoral allocation of N320.6 billion, accounting for over 33% of the total budget. This marks the second consecutive year education has taken the largest share of the state’s budget, reflecting the administration’s focus on poverty eradication and inclusive development. Other critical areas of investment include roads and bridges, water supply, energy, transportation, and the digitization of public services.
The governor also highlighted the remarkable growth in Enugu State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which rose from N37.4 billion in December 2023 to N144.7 billion by September 2024—a staggering 286.2% increase. This, he said, aligns with the administration’s strategic effort to reduce reliance on federal allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and strengthen the state’s fiscal autonomy.
“In crafting this budget, we have sought to continue laying the right foundation to drive economic growth and attract even more private investment into Enugu,” Mbah told lawmakers. Despite the challenging national economic climate, he reaffirmed his administration’s determination to elevate Enugu State into the top three states in Nigeria in terms of GDP and to eradicate poverty.
The governor argued that sustainable national growth must originate from sub-national units like Enugu State, rather than relying solely on federal interventions. “Our ambitions remain bold, and we are doubling down on our commitment to transform Enugu into an economic powerhouse,” he stated.
Governor Mbah reiterated the administration’s vision of an inclusive development model where no one is left behind. He urged the State House of Assembly to approve the proposed 2025 budget, which allocates N133.14 billion for Recurrent Expenditure and N837.94 billion for Capital Expenditure, to enable the state to continue on its path of exponential growth.
