Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has unveiled a N758.7 billion spending plan for the 2026 fiscal year, signalling an ambitious push to consolidate security gains, widen access to social services, and accelerate economic development across the state.
The proposed financial framework places strong emphasis on capital investment, social welfare, and inclusive growth, reflecting the administration’s resolve to respond to rising public needs while maintaining fiscal discipline amid prevailing economic pressures.
Presenting the appropriation bill to the Sokoto State House of Assembly on Wednesday, Aliyu explained that the proposal, christened the Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion, was shaped through extensive consultations across the state.
According to him, residents from all 23 local government areas contributed inputs during town hall meetings held across the three senatorial districts.
“This budget is a product of direct engagement with our people. For the first time, communities across wards and local governments actively influenced our priorities,” the governor told lawmakers.
Aliyu disclosed that the total budget size stands at N758.7 billion, with projected revenue sources including N389.3 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, N74.5 billion from internally generated revenue, and about N233.8 billion expected from grants, aids, and capital development funds.
On the expenditure side, the governor said capital projects would consume N551.4 billion, representing about 72 per cent of the total outlay, while recurrent spending was pegged at N207.2 billion, or 28 per cent. He noted that the structure aligns with globally accepted fiscal standards.
“Security remains a core priority of this administration. Over N45 billion has been set aside to strengthen logistics, equipment, and mobility for security agencies tackling banditry and violent crimes,” Aliyu said.
In the health sector, the governor proposed N122.7 billion, accounting for roughly 16 per cent of the total budget and surpassing the benchmark set by the Abuja Declaration.
He said the funds would support the completion and upgrade of major health facilities, including the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital and specialist hospitals across key localities.
Education was allocated N115.9 billion in line with international funding recommendations, while N109.1 billion was earmarked for works and transportation to address road construction, rehabilitation, and public transport improvements.
Other notable allocations include N41.1 billion for water resources, N18.7 billion for agriculture, N17.4 billion for religious affairs, and N33.9 billion for humanitarian services, poverty alleviation, and youth empowerment initiatives.
Aliyu further revealed that the economic sector received the largest share of the budget at 41 per cent, followed by the social sector at 37 per cent, underscoring the government’s focus on growth, welfare, and long-term stability.
Providing additional context, the governor told legislators that the 2026 proposal builds on improved fiscal performance recorded in the previous year, during which the state achieved over 65 per cent budget implementation without resorting to borrowing.
“Sokoto remains debt-free, with no outstanding obligations to contractors. We intend to sustain this culture of financial prudence in the coming fiscal year,” he added.
The House of Assembly is expected to commence detailed scrutiny of the budget proposal in the coming days ahead of its eventual passage.
