In a landmark move for Nigeria's most populous state, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has officially enacted the 2026 appropriation bill into law. The governor signed the historic budget, valued at a colossal N1.477 trillion, during a ceremony held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
A Budget of Infrastructure and Consolidation
This financial plan, christened the 'Budget of Infrastructure and Consolidation,' now stands as the largest ever passed in Kano State and the highest in Northern Nigeria's history. The journey to this final figure saw the initial proposal of N1.368 trillion submitted to the State House of Assembly receive a significant upward review. Lawmakers added an extra N110 billion following extensive consultations.
According to the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, the increase was a direct response to demands gathered from a public hearing and detailed interfaces with the heads of various ministries, departments, and agencies. The budget allocates funds with a 29:71 ratio for recurrent and capital expenditures, demonstrating a clear tilt towards long-term development projects over day-to-day administrative costs.
Key Sectoral Allocations and Implementation Pledge
Before the legislative amendment, the proposed budget outlined massive investments in critical social sectors. Education was earmarked to receive N405 billion, constituting 30% of the total and underscoring its top priority status. Infrastructure followed with N346 billion (25%), while the health sector was allocated N212 billion (16%).
At the signing ceremony, which was attended by Assembly leaders led by Speaker Falgore, Governor Yusuf gave firm assurances regarding the budget's execution. He promised full and judicious implementation of the 2026 appropriation. The Governor pointed to his administration's track record, noting that the performance of the 2025 budget had reached an impressive 80 per cent.
He urged members of his cabinet to double their efforts to ensure the new budget is fully realized, particularly in the pivotal areas of education, infrastructure, and health. Governor Yusuf framed the 2026 budget as a major opportunity to deepen the government's positive impact on social development and human capital.
Legislative Collaboration and Tributes
Governor Yusuf took a moment to commend the state legislators for their diligence in passing the budget swiftly, ensuring it was concluded before the end of the 2025 fiscal year. In a solemn gesture, he also pledged to immortalize two members of the Assembly who tragically passed away on the same day recently.
Speaker Falgore, while presenting the bill, called for intensive and focused implementation. He specifically highlighted the legislature's inclusion of a provision for the establishment of a commission on disability, aimed at addressing the employment concerns and other needs of people living with disabilities in Kano State.
Governor Yusuf expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural growth already achieved under his watch, citing numerous ongoing and completed projects. He confidently stated that his administration has already fulfilled 80 per cent of the blueprint promised during his election campaign. The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing human capital development, safeguarding citizen well-being, and laying a solid physical foundation for the state's sustainable growth.
