Education, Works, Agriculture, Health Take Lion’s Share
KatsinaTimes
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Tuesday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦897.9 billion to the State House of Assembly, describing it as the most participatory and people-focused budget in the state’s history.
Presenting the budget, themed “Building Your Future III”, at the Justice Mamman Nasir House in Katsina, the governor said the proposal was built from inputs of over 71,000 citizens across 316 wards, reflecting the administration’s community-driven approach to governance.
He said the budget focuses on education, healthcare, agriculture, works, and security — key sectors designed to improve the living conditions of residents.
“Every project and programme in this budget is aimed at directly improving the lives of our people. Governance must reach every corner of our state, whether urban or rural,” Radda said.
Education, Works, Agriculture Top Allocations
According to the breakdown, education received the highest allocation of ₦156.3 billion, followed by Works and Housing with ₦117.1 billion, Agriculture and Livestock ₦78.6 billion, Health ₦67.5 billion, Water Resources ₦62.8 billion, and Environment ₦53.8 billion.
These six ministries, Radda noted, account for nearly 60 percent of the total budget, reflecting the administration’s focus on human capital and infrastructure renewal.
He also revealed plans to establish a Secondary School Management Board to improve learning outcomes and sustain Katsina’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most educationally progressive states.
81% Capital Expenditure
Out of the total budget, ₦730.1 billion (81.32%) is earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦167.7 billion (18.68%) will go to recurrent spending. The governor said the allocation structure shows a deliberate push toward physical development and infrastructure renewal.
The ₦897.9 billion proposal represents a 29.7 percent increase from the 2025 budget.
“This is a disciplined and realistic fiscal proposal that prioritises growth and accountability,” he said.
Focus on Security and Agriculture
Governor Radda said Katsina’s farmer-focused initiatives in 2025 — including subsidies on seeds, fertiliser, and mechanisation — led to a “bumper harvest” across the state.
He reaffirmed his commitment to security through the Community Watch Corps and other local security arrangements, which, he said, have helped restore peace in several local government areas.
Responding, the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, commended the governor for presenting a “detailed and visionary” budget, adding that it reflects steady economic growth and renewed public confidence in government.
“Your administration has ensured that public resources are judiciously used and that the people’s needs remain at the centre of development planning,” the Speaker said.
He assured that the Assembly would give the budget “serious and patriotic consideration” to ensure its timely passage.
Governor Radda thanked development partners such as the World Bank, UNICEF, UNDP, FCDO, ISDB, AFDB, and others for their technical and financial support, while pledging transparency and accountability in budget implementation.
