From Muhammad Gazali Garba
Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has signed the ₦758.7 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to accelerating development across all sectors of the state.
The budget, titled “Budget of Socio-Economic Expansion,” is designed to stimulate sustainable socio-economic growth and improve the living standards of the people.
Speaking shortly after assenting to the bill, Governor Aliyu commended members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly for their swift, patriotic, and thorough consideration of the budget proposal.
He assured residents that implementation of the budget would commence immediately to ensure the timely delivery of government projects and programs.
The Governor explained that the budget prioritizes key sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens. A sectoral breakdown shows that 41% is allocated to the economic sector, 37% to the social sector, and 16% to the health sector, amounting to ₦122.73 billion. Major health projects captured in the budget include the completion of the Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital, Kasarawa; the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital; and the premier hospitals in Binji, Tambuwal, and Sobon Birni. The budget also provides for the procurement of 21 ambulances to strengthen emergency response services across the state.
The education sector was allocated ₦115.95 billion to improve the quality of teaching and learning, rehabilitate schools, and provide critical infrastructure for tertiary institutions. Similarly, the agriculture sector received ₦18.74 billion to boost food production and ensure food security through the provision of farm inputs, equipment, and support services to farmers.
Governor Aliyu further stated that the 2026 budget is development-oriented, with 72% allocated to capital expenditure and 28% to recurrent expenditure, in line with international best practices and the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He disclosed that all projects executed in the previous year were financed through the Federation Account and the state’s internally generated revenue, without borrowing or incurring debt, stressing that Sokoto State remains debt-free.
While expressing profound appreciation to the leadership and members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly for their cooperation throughout the budget process, Governor Aliyu urged lawmakers to sustain effective oversight during implementation.
He pledged to continue working closely with the legislature to translate the budget into tangible development outcomes for the people of the state.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Tukur Bala Bodinga, said the timely passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill reflected the cordial working relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government.
He noted that the House subjected the budget proposal to rigorous scrutiny to ensure alignment with the development priorities of Sokoto State.
The legislature commended the Governor for his sound policy direction and for prioritizing critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, agriculture, and economic development, describing the budget as people-centered and capable of accelerating socio-economic growth across the state.
The Speaker used the occasion to present a letter of commendation to the Governor on behalf of the entire House of Assembly, in recognition of his commitment to the development of Sokoto State.
He assured that the legislature would continue to provide effective oversight to ensure prudent and transparent implementation of the budget, while supporting policies that deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
With the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, the Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fiscal discipline, and accelerated development—an effort expected to boost the state’s economy and enhance the welfare of its citizens.
