Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Governor Ahmed Aliyu on Wednesday presented a N758.7 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Sokoto State House of Assembly, unveiling a strongly capital-driven fiscal plan designed to consolidate security gains, accelerate infrastructure development and expand social investments across the state.
Tagged the “Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion,” the proposal allocates 72 per cent to capital expenditure and 28 per cent to recurrent spending, an approach the governor said aligns with global fiscal best practices recommended by the IMF and World Bank.
Governor Aliyu said the budget totals N758,700,526,537.89, comprising N463.83 billion in recurrent revenue, N233.81 billion in capital receipts and an opening balance of N61.05 billion.
He added that the state achieved over 65 per cent implementation of the 2025 budget, attributing the feat to sustained harmony between the executive and legislature.
Security, he stressed, remains central to the administration’s agenda.
He said areas previously crippled by banditry have been reclaimed for farming and commerce through interventions including the procurement 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 operationalisation of the Nigerian Air Force base in Sokoto.
In the 2026 budget, N45.26 billion is earmarked for security, alongside enhanced DSS surveillance, restoration of security allowances and sustained funding for security agencies.
The health sector received N122.73 billion, representing over 16 per cent of the total budget and exceeding the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration benchmark. Education was allocated N115.95 billion, while N18.74 billion was set aside for agriculture to boost food production.
For infrastructure, the governor said the administration constructed and commissioned over 167 township roads in 2025, with more than 120 projects ongoing.
Accordingly, N109.13 billion was allocated to works and transportation in 2026.
Other allocations include N41.14 billion for water resources, N17.48 billion for religious affairs and sustained funding for workers’ welfare, including the clearance of over N15 billion in inherited gratuity arrears.
Governor Aliyu emphasised that all projects were funded from federation allocations and internally generated revenue, noting that the state has not borrowed any money and owes no contractor.
He said the 2026 budget was shaped through extensive citizen engagement across all 23 local government areas and 244 political wards, thanked the House of Assembly and residents for their support, reaffirmed loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and formally laid the N758.7 billion Appropriation Bill before the Assembly for consideration and passage.
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