The Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, on Wednesday presented a ₦758.7 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Sokoto State House of Assembly for legislative approval, describing the fiscal proposal as a bold and people-driven “Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion.”
Addressing lawmakers, government officials, and stakeholders, the Governor said the 2026 budget is shaped by extensive public consultations, including citizens’ town hall meetings held across the three senatorial zones and a state-wide citizens’ budget summit involving participants from all 23 Local Government Areas and 244 political wards.
According to the Governor, the budget prioritizes development, with 72% allocated to Capital expenditure and 28% to Recurrent spending, which according to him is in line with International best practices recommended by the IMF and World Bank.
He stated that the total budget size stands at ₦758,700,526,537.89, with ₦551.49 billion earmarked for Capital projects and ₦207.21 billion for Recurrent expenditure, signalling the administration’s resolve to sustain aggressive infrastructure development.
Governor Aliyu said the Economic sector received the highest allocation of 41%, followed by the Social sector at 37%, reflecting the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth and human development.
Major allocations include; ₦45.26 billion for security, ₦122.73 billion for health, ₦115.95 billion for education, ₦109.13 billion for works and transportation, ₦41.14 billion for water resources, and ₦17.48 billion for religious affairs.
The Governor also announced that the 2025 budget recorded over 65% implementation, attributing the achievement to effective collaboration with the State House of Assembly, prudent financial management, and focused governance. He said the outgoing year witnessed remarkable progress across critical sectors, particularly security, infrastructure, agriculture, social and workers’ welfare.
He explained that the administration’s aggressive security interventions have significantly improved safety across the State, enabling farming and commercial activities to resume in areas previously affected by banditry. These interventions included the procurement and distribution of over 270 patrol vehicles and 500 motorcycles, the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps with 40 Hilux vans and 700 motorcycles, the construction of a Military base in Illela, and the full operationalization of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Sokoto.
In the area of infrastructure, Governor Aliyu said the State constructed and commissioned over 167 township roads in 2025, with more than 120 additional roads currently under construction, while 16 rural roads were completed and 17 others are at various stages of completion. He added that major water supply facilities were rehabilitated during the year, including the waterworks at Mana and the Old Airport.
On workers’ welfare, the Governor noted that the administration commenced the payment of over ₦15 billion in backlog gratuities, with ₦500 million set aside monthly to clear arrears owed to retirees from 2016 to 2021, and an additional ₦300 million monthly dedicated to retirees from 2023 to date. He assured citizens that the government remains committed to sustaining the development momentum across the state.
Governor Aliyu affirmed that all projects executed by the administration were financed strictly from Federation Account allocations and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), stressing that the State has not borrowed a single kobo, and is not indebted to any contractor.
He called on the House of Assembly to give the budget proposal expeditious consideration in the interest of the people of Sokoto State.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
