Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Wednesday submitted a ₦758.7 billion budget estimate for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, detailing plans to consolidate security improvements, enhance social services and drive economic development across the state.
The spending plan, dubbed the “Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion,” was presented amid persistent security concerns, increasing cost of living and rising demand for infrastructure and public amenities in Sokoto and the wider North-West region.
While addressing lawmakers, the governor explained that the budget was formulated through a first-of-its-kind, citizen-focused process. He noted that town hall meetings were held across the three senatorial districts—Tambuwal, Tangaza and Gwadabawa—allowing residents from all 23 local government areas and 244 political wards to participate in shaping the proposal.
“The total budget size is N758,700,526,537.89, with projected revenue made up of N389.3 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), N74.5 billion in internally generated revenue, and N233.8 billion from grants, aids and capital development funds.
“Under the expenditure framework, we proposed N551.4 billion for capital projects, representing 72 per cent of the total outlay, while N207.2 billion, or 28 per cent, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, in line with international fiscal benchmarks.
“Security remains a top priority in the 2026 fiscal plan, with over N45.2 billion 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.”
In the health sector, the government proposed N122.7 billion, accounting for about 16 per cent of the budget and exceeding the 2001 Abuja Declaration benchmark.
“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.”
Education was allocated N115.9 billion, in line with UNESCO’s recommended funding range, while N109.1 billion was proposed for works and transportation, covering road construction, rehabilitation and improvements in public transportation.
Other sectoral 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 reduction and youth empowerment programmes.
The governor said the economic sector received the highest share of the budget at 41 per cent, followed by the social sector with 37 per cent, reflecting the administration’s focus on growth, welfare and stability.
Providing further context, Aliyu told lawmakers that the 2026 proposal builds on the state’s improved fiscal performance in 2025, during which the government recorded over 65 per cent budget implementation and executed projects without borrowing.
He stressed that Sokoto State remains debt-free, adding that the government has no outstanding liabilities to contractors and intends to sustain fiscal discipline in the coming year.
The House of Assembly is expected to subject the proposal to detailed legislative scrutiny before passage.
