Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Monday presented a ₦985.9 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a people-centred financial plan aimed at consolidating reforms in security, infrastructure, education, and rural development.
Presenting the budget before lawmakers, Sani said the proposal was not merely a constitutional requirement but “a solemn civic engagement” rooted in transparency, equity, and the welfare of citizens.
He explained that the 2026 fiscal plan emerged from one of the broadest consultation processes ever undertaken in the state, involving traditional rulers, civil society organisations, women’s groups, youth associations, academia, business leaders, and vulnerable groups across all LGAs. Inputs from farmers, traders, teachers, artisans, persons with disabilities, and widows helped shape the document.
The proposed budget consists of ₦734.2 billion in recurrent revenue and ₦251.6 billion in capital receipts. Capital expenditure accounts for 71 percent of the total, reflecting the administration’s development priorities. Sectoral allocations show that education and infrastructure each received 25 percent, health received 15 percent, agriculture 11 percent, security 6 percent, social development 5 percent, governance 5 percent, and environment and climate action 4 percent. Sani reaffirmed that all 255 wards would continue to receive ₦100 million for community-identified projects through the Ward Development Committees, describing the initiative as one of Nigeria’s largest grassroots budgeting models.
Reviewing the 2025 performance, the governor said the year witnessed “remarkable achievements and resilient advancement” despite economic pressures, fluctuating federal allocations, and persistent security concerns. He noted improvements in security through strengthened collaboration with federal agencies and the Kaduna Peace Model, which has reopened farmlands, restored previously closed schools, and fostered reconciliation in conflict-impacted communities.
On infrastructure, Sani said his administration is executing 140 road projects covering 1,335 kilometres, with 64 already completed. These roads have opened new economic corridors and connected previously neglected communities. He also highlighted progress in transport reforms, including the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit system, the first in Northern Nigeria featuring CNG-powered buses, digital ticketing, and a 24-kilometre dedicated corridor. The Interstate Bus Terminal in Kakuri is 75 percent complete, while the subsidised transport scheme has saved residents over ₦500 million through free and discounted rides. The Kaduna Light Rail Project is progressing, with Phase I targeting the Rigachikun–Sabon Tasha axis and Phase II planned to link Millennium City to Rigasa.
On rural development, Sani said more than 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmlands have been recovered and revived, alongside improvements in feeder roads, markets, and extension services aimed at boosting food production. He noted that agricultural investment grew from ₦1.4 billion in 2023 to ₦74.2 billion in 2025, enabling the distribution of over 900 trucks of free fertiliser and support for irrigation, mechanisation, seed improvement, and livestock vaccination. He added that the African Development Bank–backed $510 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is transforming Kaduna into an agro-industrial hub, while the African Quality Assurance Centre will help farmers meet export standards.
Education, he said, remains central to the state’s development agenda. In 2025, the government reopened 535 schools and returned over 300,000 out-of-school children to classrooms. It also reduced tertiary school fees by 40 percent. Other achievements include the construction of 736 classrooms, renovation of 1,220 others, drilling of boreholes, provision of toilets and furniture, and training for over 33,000 teachers, as well as the establishment of bilingual schools and vocational hubs.
In the health sector, Sani announced the upgrade of all 255 Primary Healthcare Centres to Level 2 status, renovation of 15 General Hospitals, completion of five more, and the commissioning of the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital. His administration also implemented CONMESS and CONHESS, strengthened emergency services, built an oxygen plant, improved the state medical warehouse, and set aside ₦1 billion to insure vulnerable households.
The governor also highlighted achievements in vocational training, including the establishment of the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, two satellite campuses, partnerships with Microsoft and Google, and the remodeling of Panteka Market to support over 38,000 artisans.
Responding after the presentation, Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Liman, described the 2026 budget as “ambitious, comprehensive, and aligned with the state’s development priorities.” He commended the governor for expanding rural infrastructure, strengthening human capital, and ensuring balanced development across urban and rural areas. Liman also praised the administration for granting legislators direct involvement in constituency projects, which he described as a first in the state’s history.
He assured that the Assembly would conduct a thorough and transparent review of the proposal and work with the Executive to ensure its timely passage for implementation.
