The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has presented a ₦985.9 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, outlining plans to consolidate rural transformation and promote inclusive development across the state.
The presentation was held at the State Assembly Complex in Kaduna, in a town-hall style session that brought together lawmakers, traditional rulers, youth and women groups, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
Governor Sani explained that the budget would be funded through an opening balance of ₦150 billion, an estimated recurrent revenue of ₦584.3 billion, and capital receipts of ₦251.6 billion, emphasising a participatory and transparent planning process.
He noted that the proposal, presented on Monday, allocates ₦699.7 billion to capital expenditure—about 71 percent of the total—while ₦286.2 billion is earmarked for recurrent spending.
According to him, the 2026 budget represents a significant increase over the 2025 appropriation, reflecting the administration’s commitment to scaling up infrastructure, social services, and development projects across both urban and rural communities.
A key feature of the budget is the introduction of a ward-level development initiative, which allocates ₦100 million to each of the state’s 255 political wards, enabling local communities to identify and implement projects that address their immediate needs.
Governor Sani said the initiative aims to correct longstanding development gaps and ensure grassroots participation in decision-making.
The budget also provides for the repayment of inherited local and foreign debts and underscores fiscal discipline and accountability, with mechanisms for monitoring and citizen engagement built into the implementation process.
Sani highlighted his administration’s achievements in upgrading primary healthcare centres, rehabilitating general hospitals, expanding educational and vocational programmes, and improving rural infrastructure.
He urged the Assembly to expedite its review and passage of the budget so it can take effect from January 2026, stressing that collaboration between government and citizens is crucial to its success.
Following the submission, lawmakers commended the administration for its inclusive and people-focused approach and pledged to scrutinise the proposal to ensure it meets citizens’ needs while promoting transparency and efficiency.
