Anambra State is one of the fast growing states located in southeast Nigeria with an estimated population of over five million in 2013, based on the 2006 census figures and a growth rate of 2.8%. With all its potential, Anambra still
suffers from myriad of problems including environmental issues such as soil erosion and flooding. Currently, social amenities in the state are grossly inadequate. Quite a number of its citizens are still living below the poverty line (56.8% according to 2010 Harmonized Nigerian Living Standard Survey) and this has been evident alongside poor health and dropout from schools. High levels of unemployment, particularly among youths, have contributed to social unrest, kidnapping, agitations and conficts in the state in the last decade.

This brief focuses on the weaknesses in Anambra State budgets and spending for the period 2003 – 2013 with special emphasis on the overall budget thrust and the key sectors of HIV/AIDS, health, education, agriculture and infrastructure. The planning process in the state has gone through institutional changes over the years. There was the Office of Budget and Planning in the early 1990s up to 1995. The last decade saw the state adopt different policy regimes. The period 2003-2007 saw the state aligning to the national policy National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy
(NEEDS) by adopting a State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS).