Five governors – Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), and Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi) – yesterday signed this year’s budgets of their states into law, preparatory to implementation.
In Benue State, the House of Assembly passed the N695 billion budget for Governor Hyacinth Alia to assent to.
Bauchi State Governor Mohammed’s assent to the N877 billion budget followed its passage by the House of Assembly.
The governor had presented a N878.15 billion Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly on 27 November.
Following the lawmakers’ scrutiny, the proposed budget was scaled down by N1.1 billion.
Mohammed hailed the lawmakers for what he called a robust, objective, and non-partisan review process.
The governor stated that the reduction was achieved through modest adjustments in recurrent expenditures without affecting capital allocations.
According to him, the exercise underscored fiscal discipline, institutional independence and the shared resolve of both arms of government to safeguard public interest while prioritising effective service delivery.
Mohammed expressed appreciation for the sustained cooperation between the Executive and Legislature since 2019, praising opposition lawmakers for placing constructive engagement and commitment to governance over partisan interests.
The governor said the 2026 budget, named ‘Budget of Consolidation and Sustainability’, builds on the administration’s achievements over the past six years, including expanded access to social services, improved infrastructure, and reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, accountability and citizens’ quality of life.
He stated that about 79 per cent of the 2025 budget had been implemented, describing the performance as one of the highest in the country.
Mohammed assured Bauchi State residents that this year’s fiscal plan would sustain investments in critical sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, security, and social services, while ensuring balanced development across the state.
Describing the budget as the final full-cycle appropriation of his two-term administration, the governor directed members of the State Executive Council (Exco) and all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure its full, faithful, and timely implementation.
Speaker Abubakar Sulaiman said the 2026 Appropriation Law emanated from an inclusive and transparent process that involved defence sessions, stakeholder engagements and rigorous committee oversight.
He said the lawmakers reviewed revenue projections as well as recurrent and capital expenditures, giving priority to key sectors, including transportation, security, infrastructure and social welfare.
The Speaker noted that concerns over the realism of internally generated revenue (IGR) projections, particularly in light of anticipated federal tax reforms, necessitated the slight downward adjustment of the budget size.
In Imo State, Governor Uzodimma signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law at the Government House Annexe in Eziachi, Orlu.
The governor said the budget, called the ‘Budget of Economic Breakthrough’, reflected effective democratic governance.
He acknowledged the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Uzodimma hailed members of the House of Assembly for their diligence and swift handling of matters of public importance.
The governor explained that the ₦1.4 trillion budget was designed to stimulate economic growth and improve the standard of living of Imo residents.
He said there is a need for prudence and revenue generation to ensure effective implementation of the budget.
According to him, the administration ‘remains committed to completing ongoing infrastructure projects across the state, particularly road construction and public facilities, before the end of his tenure’.
Uzodimma noted that infrastructure development was driven by public utility rather than ownership, emphasising inclusiveness in governance.
The governor also lauded the fiscal reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which he said have created opportunities for states to enhance revenue generation. ‘We must acknowledge that the states have more money to spend now on infrastructural development than previously’, he said.
Uzodimma assured the people of Imo State of his continued dedication to responsible governance and service delivery in the coming year.
Highlighting the importance of visible impact, the governor said improvements in electricity supply, healthcare services, and other social amenities would reinforce public confidence in government spending, adding that citizen satisfaction remains a key measure of success for his administration.
He stressed that this year’s budget is expected to support small and medium-scale enterprises, attract local and foreign investment, and strengthen revenue-generating agencies, all with the aim of boosting economic development.
He said improved security across the state has created an environment that has become more conducive for business and investment.
‘I have decided to sign this budget into law here in Orlu to prove that the security challenge in the state is a thing of the past’, Uzodimma stated.
The Clerk of the House, Chinelo Emeghara, confirmed that the budget was passed after undergoing due legislative scrutiny to ensure alignment with the state’s development priorities.
Deputy Speaker Amara Iwuanyanwu, who led other legislators, said the Assembly carefully examined the budget to ensure it would address key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, digital development, and rural growth.
In Adamawa State, Governor Fintiri signed the state’s N583 billion budget into law at the Government House in Yola.
The governor said his administration was committed to providing tighter security for the people.
During the brief ceremony, he announced the cancellation of a planned crossover concert, following security concerns.
The cancellation, Fintiri said, was regrettable as famous musicians from across the country had been invited for the event.
The governor said nothing could be too much to assure the security of life and assets of the people.
He reiterated that his administration would be doing a lot more towards ensuring that the people are safe wherever they may be.
The Nation recalls that the governor presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N583,331,380,496 to the House of Assembly on December 18 for the lawmakers to scrutinise and pass.
Fintiri said 64.07 per cent of the budget is for capital expenditure, amounting to N373,690,964,682, and the rest for recurrent expenditures.
The House of Assembly passed the budget on 29 December, setting the stage for yesterday’s signing by the governor.
In Kano, Governor Yusuf signed the N1.47 trillion 2026 budget into law during the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the Government House.
The governor said the move would boost development and improve the living standards among the residents.
Speaker Ismail Falgore described the budget as the first in northern Nigeria’s history to exceed N1 trillion.
He expressed the hope that it would support ongoing projects and enhance citizens’ welfare.
The House of Assembly passed the budget last week for his assent.
Yusuf had presented the Appropriation Bill named: ‘Budget of Infrastructure, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development’, form the lawmakers’ scrutiny and passage.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prudent resource management and effective budget implementation by prioritising infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social welfare.
In Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, Governor Ododo assented to the ₦820,490,585,443 billion budget into law at the Government House.
The governor said the budget was designed to meet the ‘yearning and aspirations’ of Kogi residents and usher in a new era of development with a strong focus on infrastructure and public welfare.
The budget has ₦365.43 billion for recurrent spending and ₦455.46 billion for capital projects.
Ododo had presented N820.5 billion as the 2026 budget estimate to the House of Assembly.
The governor said the budget estimate was N215,961,592,725 or 35.7 per cent higher than the N604,528,992,718 revised budget of 2025.
He said it aimed to, among others, enhance revenue mobilisation, enforce expenditure discipline, and deepen strategic investments in growth sectors.
Ododo said other aims of the budget estimate were to aggressively repay Federal Government debts, strengthen the investment climate, and block revenue leakages.
The governor said this year’s budget estimates has a total estimated Recurrent Revenue of N470,008,482,693, comprising the following sources: Internally Generated (IGR) of N43,985,216,392; Statutory Allocation: N70,000,000,000; Value Added Tax (VAT) N90,000,000,000; and the NLNG Dividend: N160,336,270,062.
He described the budget as more than a financial statement but a roadmap for inclusive growth, economic diversification and shared prosperity.
Speaker Umar Aliyu assured the governor of speedy and careful review of the estimate with a view to coming up with an approved budget that will be beneficial to the state and residents.
He said: ‘The presentation of the 2026 budget estimates provides the legislature with the opportunity to carefully evaluate the performance of Year 2025 budget and assess the priorities of government for the coming year and ensure they truly reflect the aspirations of our people.
‘As always, this Honourable House remains committed to a budget review process that is thorough, transparent, people-centred and development-driven. We assure Your Excellency of our readiness to give the budget accelerated, yet, diligent consideration, consistent with global best legislative practices.
‘I call on the Political Heads and Accounting Officers of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government in the state to honour the invitations of our standing committees for budget appraisal and defence, thereby enabling the House to consider and deliberate on the Appropriation Bill for the Year 2026 in an efficient and timely manner’.
