ANAMBRA, Nigeria — The Anambra State Government has requested ₦70 billion from the Stabilisation Fund to address worsening erosion, insecurity, infrastructure deficits and mounting pressure on public services.

The request was presented to the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Abuja amid concerns that economic disruptions are threatening livelihoods, government revenue and investor confidence across the state.

Presenting the state’s case, the Secretary to the State Government, Chiamaka Nnake, said the proposed intervention would support critical investments in security, environmental protection, healthcare, education, agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.

Nnake disclosed that Anambra, with an estimated population of 8.9 million, a gross domestic product of approximately $12.7 billion and a projected 2026 budget of ₦766 billion, had increased its internally generated revenue from about ₦2.2 billion to ₦7.2 billion.

However, she identified insecurity, flooding, erosion, inflation and rising public service costs as major challenges affecting the state’s finances and economic growth.

She also noted that sit-at-home orders and movement restrictions had disrupted commercial activities, weakened revenue generation and undermined investor confidence in major economic centres, including Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi.

Over 1,000 Erosion Sites Identified

Environmental protection remains a major component of the state’s funding needs, with the government estimating that approximately ₦170 billion would be required to address critical erosion sites.

According to Nnake, more than 1,000 erosion sites have been identified across 146 communities, posing risks to homes, roads, public infrastructure and other economic assets.

She said the state had implemented measures covering erosion control, flood management, road rehabilitation, land reclamation, waterway clearance and tree planting. Restrictions had also been introduced on sand mining around vulnerable areas.

Despite these interventions, the estimated cost of addressing critical erosion sites highlights the scale of the environmental challenge facing the state.

Security, Healthcare and Education Prioritised

The state government also identified security as a key area requiring additional funding, arguing that improved security would help protect lives and property, restore commercial activities and strengthen the investment climate.

Nnake cited the enactment of a Homeland Security Law, the establishment of a state security outfit and collaboration through a joint task force as part of the government’s existing measures.

She said the proposed funding would support the acquisition of operational vehicles, surveillance and communication equipment, personnel training and improved coordination among security agencies.

The government also highlighted the financial demands of its social intervention programmes, including free antenatal care and delivery services, as well as free education from nursery to Senior Secondary School Three.

According to Nnake, the free maternal healthcare programme had supported more than 206,000 deliveries, including 642 Caesarean sections, at no cost to beneficiaries.

She added that the recruitment of 8,415 teachers had increased the need for additional classrooms, learning materials and other educational resources, alongside growing demands for healthcare personnel, equipment and medicines.

Nnake stressed that sustained investment would be necessary to maintain service quality and meet the needs of the state’s growing population.

State Eyes Agriculture, Mining, Tourism Growth

Beyond immediate infrastructure and security challenges, Anambra said the proposed intervention would support economic diversification through agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.

Nnake disclosed that the state had distributed more than 2.3 million coconut and oil-palm seedlings but required further investment in processing facilities, storage, irrigation, cold-chain infrastructure and market access.

She said such investments would help improve agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and create employment opportunities.

The state also identified mineral resources, including kaolin, bentonite, lignite, silica sand, gypsum and laterite, alongside petroleum-related opportunities.

However, Nnake said geological surveys, processing facilities and supporting infrastructure would be needed to attract investors and translate the resources into productive economic activities.

Tourism was also highlighted as a potential source of revenue and employment, with Agulu Lake and other natural and heritage attractions identified as areas requiring improved access roads and visitor facilities.

RMAFC Begins Technical Assessment

Speaking during the technical session, the committee chairman and Lagos State representative, Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright, described the Stabilisation Fund as an important fiscal intervention mechanism designed to assist states in deserving circumstances, subject to established guidelines, available resources and the necessary approval processes.

Wright explained that requesting states were required to make formal presentations before the commission conducted on-the-spot assessments of proposed projects.

He said the committee would examine Anambra’s financial records, project feasibility, estimated costs, implementation requirements and expected socioeconomic benefits before making any recommendation.

The chairman, however, cautioned that the technical assessment did not constitute approval of the ₦70 billion request, noting that the proposal remained subject to further scrutiny, verification and possible recommendations to the commission’s plenary.

The Commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr. Enefe Ekene, welcomed the committee’s observations, saying they would help the state refine its presentation ahead of the proposed assessment visit.

The outcome of the review will determine whether Anambra’s ₦70 billion request progresses through the commission’s approval process.