Gov. Uba Sani on Monday presented a ₦985.9 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Kaduna State House of Assembly, describing it as a people-oriented budget designed to consolidate gains in security, infrastructure, education and rural development.
Presenting the draft budget at Lugard Hall, Sani said the proposal was not only a constitutional obligation but “a solemn civic engagement” anchored on transparency, equity and citizens’ welfare.
He said the budget was developed through one of the broadest consultation processes in the state’s history, involving traditional rulers, civil society groups, women and youth organisations, academia, business leaders and vulnerable groups across the 23 LGAs. Inputs from farmers, traders, teachers, artisans, persons with disabilities and widows, he added, shaped the fiscal framework.
The proposal projects ₦734.2 billion in recurrent revenue and ₦251.6 billion in capital receipts, with capital expenditure accounting for 71 per cent of the total budget.
Sectoral allocations include: education 25 per cent, infrastructure 25 per cent, health 15 per cent, agriculture 11 per cent, security 6 per cent, social development 5 per cent, governance 5 per cent and climate action 4 per cent.
Sani also announced that all 255 wards in the state would receive ₦100 million each for community-selected projects under the Ward Development Committee initiative, which he described as the largest grassroots budgeting model in Nigeria.
He urged lawmakers to give the bill swift consideration, saying it embodies “renewal, resilience and a far-reaching vision for progress in every home, ward and local government.”
2025 performance
Reviewing the outgoing fiscal year, the governor said Kaduna recorded “remarkable achievements” despite economic pressures and security challenges. He noted improved collaboration with federal security agencies, which he said helped restore calm to several troubled communities, reopen farmlands and allow schools previously shut due to insecurity to resume under the Kaduna Peace Model.
Sani reported that 140 road projects covering 1,335 kilometres were currently underway, with 64 completed. He said the roads were opening new economic corridors and reconnecting long-neglected settlements.
On transport reforms, he highlighted the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) system—expected to be the first in Northern Nigeria—featuring CNG-powered buses, digital ticketing and a 24km dedicated lane. He added that the Interstate Bus Terminal in Kakuri was 75 per cent complete, while the subsidised transport scheme had saved residents over ₦500 million.
The Kaduna Light Rail project is also progressing, with Phase I covering Rigachikun–Sabon Tasha and Phase II to connect Millennium City to Rigasa. Construction of major bus parks is ongoing.
Agriculture, education, health
Sani said over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmlands had been reclaimed, while agricultural investment rose sharply from ₦1.4 billion in 2023 to ₦74.2 billion in 2025. More than 900 trucks of free fertiliser were distributed, alongside expanded support for irrigation, mechanisation, livestock vaccination and seed improvement. He described the AfDB-supported $510 million Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone as a game-changing project positioning Kaduna as an emerging agro-industrial hub.
In education, which he called the “cornerstone” of the state’s development plan, the governor said 535 schools had reopened, and more than 300,000 out-of-school children returned to classrooms in 2025. He cited the construction of 736 classrooms, renovation of 1,220 more, provision of learning materials, training for over 33,000 teachers, and the establishment of bilingual schools and vocational hubs. He also noted the 40 per cent reduction in tertiary school fees.
On health, Sani said all 255 Primary Healthcare Centres had been upgraded to Level 2. He listed the renovation of 15 general hospitals, completion of five additional ones, and the inauguration of the 300-bed Bola Tinubu Specialist Hospital. The state also implemented CONMESS and CONHESS, strengthened emergency response services, built an oxygen plant, improved the medical warehouse and set aside ₦1 billion for health insurance for vulnerable households.
The governor further highlighted investments 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 remodelling of Panteka Market to support over 38,000 artisans.
Lawmakers react
Responding, Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Liman, described the proposal as an “ambitious, comprehensive and development-driven” budget. He said it demonstrated strong commitment to rural infrastructure, human capital development and balanced statewide growth.
Liman also commended the governor for granting lawmakers direct involvement in constituency projects—a first in the state’s history—and for upholding the principle of separation of powers. He assured that the House would subject the budget to a transparent and thorough review and work with the Executive to accelerate development and deliver democracy dividends.
