Gov Aliyu Presents ₦758.7 Billion 2026 Budget To Sokoto Assembly

Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Wednesday (today) presented a ₦758.7 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Sokoto State House of Assembly, outlining plans to consolidate security gains, expand social services and stimulate economic growth across the state.

The proposal, christened the ‘Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion’, comes amid lingering security challenges, rising cost of living and increasing demand for infrastructure and public services in Sokoto State and the wider North-West region.

Addressing the lawmakers during the presentation, the governor said the budget was designed through what he described as an unprecedented citizen-driven process.

Aliyu explained that the 2026 budget followed extensive town hall meetings held across the three senatorial districts of Tambuwal, Tangaza and Gwadabawa, where residents from all the 23 local government areas and 244 political wards participated in the planning process.

According to him, the approach ensured that the proposal reflected the real needs and priorities of the people.

Giving a breakdown of the estimates, the governor said the total budget size stood at ₦758,700,526,537.89.

He said, “The total budget size is ₦758,700,526,537.89, with projected revenue made up of ₦389.3bn from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, ₦74.5bn in internally generated revenue, and ₦233.8bn from grants, aids and capital development funds.”

Under the expenditure framework, Aliyu disclosed that ₦551.4bn, representing 72 per cent of the total budget, was proposed for capital projects, while ₦207.2bn, or 28 per cent, was earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

He noted that the spending pattern aligns with international fiscal benchmarks and reflects the administration’s development-oriented agenda.

It was reported that the governor stressed that security remained a top priority in the 2026 fiscal plan, with over ₦45.2bn allocated to support security agencies.

“Security remains a top priority in the 2026 fiscal plan, with over ₦45.2bn allocated for the procurement of security equipment, patrol vehicles, motorcycles and other logistics to support security agencies battling banditry and violent crime in parts of the state,” he said.

In the health sector, Aliyu proposed ₦122.7bn, representing about 16 per cent of the total budget and exceeding the 2001 Abuja Declaration benchmark.

He said the allocation would be used to complete major health facilities, including the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital, Murtala Muhammad Hospital and premier hospitals in Binji, Tambuwal and Sabon Birni.

“The funds are expected to go into completing the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital, Murtala Muhammad Hospital and premier hospitals in Binji, Tambuwal and Sabon Birni, as well as procuring ambulances and modern medical equipment,” the governor stated.

Education was allocated ₦115.9bn, in line with UNESCO’s recommended funding range, while ₦109.1bn was proposed for works and transportation, covering road construction, rehabilitation and improvements in public transportation.

Other key allocations in the 2026 proposal include ₦41.1bn for water resources, ₦18.7bn for agriculture, ₦17.4bn for religious affairs and ₦33.9bn for humanitarian services, poverty reduction and youth empowerment programmes.

Aliyu added that the economic sector received the largest share of the budget at 41 per cent, followed by the social sector with 37 per cent, underscoring the administration’s focus on growth, welfare and stability.

Providing further context, the governor told lawmakers that the 2026 proposal was built on the state’s improved fiscal performance in 2025.

He said the government recorded over 65 per cent budget implementation in the outgoing fiscal year and executed projects without resorting to borrowing.

Aliyu stressed that Sokoto State remained debt-free, adding that there were no outstanding liabilities to contractors and that his administration was determined to sustain fiscal discipline in the coming year.

The Sokoto State House of Assembly is expected to subject the budget proposal to detailed legislative scrutiny before its passage into law.