Mazi Ejimofor Opara
At a time when many Nigerian states continue to struggle under rising recurrent obligations, Anambra has chosen a different path—one that deserves national attention rather than quiet acknowledgement. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s ₦757.8 billion 2026 budget, with an unprecedented 79% allocation to capital expenditure, is not simply a fiscal decision; it is the continuation of a governing philosophy that places long-term development above short-term comfort.
Though officially an oil-producing state, Anambra derives little of its fiscal identity from petroleum revenue. Yet, for the third consecutive year, Soludo’s administration has sustained one of the highest capital-spending ratios in the federation. Such consistency is rare in Nigeria, where priorities often shift with political cycles.
The results are beginning to take shape across multiple sectors. In education, investments in STEM laboratories, teacher recruitment, and free public schooling have already contributed to a 47% rise in enrollment, demonstrating that capital spending can build systems, not just structures.
The health sector reflects the same philosophy. The ongoing upgrade and construction of general hospitals, revitalization of primary healthcare centres, free antenatal and delivery for pregnant women, and investments in medical equipment and oxygen infrastructure signal a shift from reactive spending to preventive, community-based care. Rather than expanding payrolls alone, the administration is strengthening facilities that improve service delivery—a long-term approach many states have struggled to sustain.
This capital-first strategy gains further credibility from Anambra’s restraint in borrowing. While several states now depend on debt to fund even basic operations, Soludo has maintained the principle that borrowing—where necessary—should finance revenue-generating or life-improving assets, not recurrent consumption.
Critics may caution that ambitious capital projections face implementation risks in a challenging economy. Yet ambition guided by strategy is preferable to the familiar inertia of routine expenditure. More importantly, Soludo’s approach reinforces a broader national lesson: prudence and progress are not mutually exclusive.
In a federation where sub-national governments often mirror each other’s weaknesses, Anambra stands out for choosing investment over maintenance, future value over present convenience. The message is simple but timely: development depends not only on what a state earns, but on how boldly it allocates.
Governor Soludo’s sustained prioritization of capital expenditure—spanning infrastructure, education, and health—offers more than a state success story. It provides a practical model for others and a reminder that meaningful transformation begins with the courage to look beyond the electoral cycle.