Delta State, a key oil-producing state in Nigeria’s Niger Delta, has unveiled an ambitious and development-focused 2025 budget. In a move that reflects the administration’s commitment to advancing infrastructure, boosting economic growth, and improving the quality of life for its citizens, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori presented a proposed budget of ₦936.08 billion to the Delta State House of Assembly.
This proposed budget marks a 29% increase from the 2024 budget of ₦725 billion, signaling a strategic push to revamp critical sectors like roads, education, healthcare, agriculture, and water resources, without relying on external borrowing.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about Delta State’s 2025 budget, including its structure, funding sources, sectoral allocations, and key development priorities.
Budget Structure and Focus
The 2025 budget is titled "Budget of Hope and Optimism." It emphasizes sustainable development and prudent fiscal management. The budget is strategically divided into:
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Capital Expenditure: ₦587.36 billion (62.75%)
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Recurrent Expenditure: ₦348.72 billion (37.25%)
This allocation clearly demonstrates that Delta State’s government is placing a greater focus on long-term capital investments rather than just daily government operations.
Funding the Budget: No Borrowing Required
In a significant policy stance, Governor Oborevwori announced that the 2025 budget will be funded without new loans or borrowing. This marks a break from previous budgets where deficit financing was common.
The major funding sources for the budget include:
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FAAC (Federation Accounts Allocation Committee) Revenue
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Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
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Capital Receipts
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
Delta State is setting a target of ₦140 billion in IGR for 2025. The government is putting mechanisms in place to boost local revenue collection through enhanced tax reforms, digitalization of payment systems, and the expansion of the state's tax net.
Sector-by-Sector Analysis of the 2025 Budget
1. Infrastructure and Roads – ₦230 Billion
The largest chunk of the capital budget goes to the Ministry of Works, with ₦230 billion allocated for infrastructure. This investment will be used to:
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Complete ongoing road projects across the 25 local government areas
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Rehabilitate old and dilapidated roads
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Construct new bridges and bypasses
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Upgrade rural road networks to improve access to markets and services
The Oborevwori administration believes that improving physical infrastructure is key to unlocking the state's economic potential.
2. Education – ₦67.42 Billion
Education remains a top priority for Delta State in 2025. The government plans to continue investing in human capital development, with funds allocated for:
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Upgrading public schools across the state
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Recruiting more qualified teachers
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Equipping science laboratories and libraries
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Constructing additional classrooms to reduce overcrowding
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Supporting the growth of Delta State University and other tertiary institutions
The aim is to raise education standards and ensure that every child in Delta State has access to quality learning.
3. Healthcare – ₦30.55 Billion
The health sector received a budgetary allocation of ₦30.55 billion to improve healthcare delivery across the state. Notable plans include:
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Construction of a trauma center in Agbor
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Establishment of a drug rehabilitation center in Kwale
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Renovation and upgrading of General Hospitals and Primary Health Centers
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Purchase of new medical equipment
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Recruitment and training of healthcare professionals
This investment is expected to bridge healthcare gaps, especially in underserved communities.
4. Agriculture – ₦7 Billion
Delta State is aiming to transform its agricultural sector from subsistence to a commercially viable industry. The ₦7 billion allocated will go toward:
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Development of the Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ)
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Provision of land, seedlings, fertilizers, and modern tools to farmers
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Creating agricultural cooperatives and training programs
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Building storage and processing facilities
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Encouraging youth participation in agribusiness
This push will not only enhance food security but also create jobs in the rural economy.
5. Water Resources – ₦11.03 Billion
A total of ₦11.03 billion was allocated to improve access to clean water and sanitation services. The state will be focusing on:
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Establishing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) departments in all LGAs
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Constructing new water supply systems in urban and rural communities
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Maintaining and upgrading old water infrastructure
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Training personnel on water management and sanitation
These initiatives will help reduce waterborne diseases and improve public health.
Other Key Areas of Investment
Youth Empowerment and Job Creation
Delta State’s budget places a strong emphasis on empowering youth and reducing unemployment. This includes:
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Skill acquisition programs
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Entrepreneurship support schemes
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Expansion of the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP)
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MSME development initiatives
The administration wants to nurture self-reliant and productive citizens through targeted empowerment.
Environment and Climate Sustainability
In a bid to mitigate climate change and promote green growth, the Delta State government signed an MoU with UK firms for reforestation and conservation projects covering over 270 hectares of mangroves and seagrass areas. This will:
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Enhance carbon offset initiatives
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Create green jobs
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Support biodiversity and ecotourism
Transparency and Accountability
A key aspect of the 2025 budget is its emphasis on transparency, fiscal discipline, and stakeholder engagement. The budget planning and implementation process is being aligned with global best practices, including:
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Quarterly budget performance reports
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E-budgeting systems
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Legislative oversight and public input
Governor Oborevwori emphasized the importance of accountability in ensuring that funds are spent for the intended purposes.
Conclusion
Delta State’s 2025 budget is not just a statement of fiscal intent—it is a strategic development blueprint that seeks to transform the state into a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant entity.
By allocating the majority of resources to capital development, and doing so without resorting to new debt, the Oborevwori administration is making a bold statement: that governance can be both ambitious and responsible.
From roads and schools to hospitals and farmlands, the state is laying the foundation for a prosperous future. With the right implementation strategies and continued stakeholder collaboration, the 2025 budget could very well be a turning point for Delta State.
