Governor Zulum at the State Assembly on Monday
… to build more schools, sustain scholarship and recruit more teachers
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State on Monday presented a N890,33 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, with the education sector receiving the lion share of N135 billion.
A statement from Government House Press Unit said the budget tagged “Budget of Sustained Recovery and Growth,” places the capital expenditure at over 61% of the total budget, while the recurrent expenditure is at about 39%.
In his address before the House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Zulum detailed the budget’s composition, announcing a total recurrent expenditure of N353,767,349,000.00 and a higher capital expenditure of N536564,337,000.00.
According to Zulum, the budget structure underscored his administration’s commitment to long-term development and infrastructure renewal, crucial for a state on a sustained path of recovery from insurgency.
“Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this budget stands as a testament to our steadfast dedication to fostering sustained recovery and growth, even in the face of challenges. It embodies our resolute pledge to rebuild our communities, restore economic vitality, and secure a safer and more prosperous future for every citizen,” Zulum said.
Breaking down the sectoral allocations, the governor highlighted key ministries that received substantial portions of the capital vote with education on top.
He explained that the allocation for education is earmarked for the construction of new schools, the rehabilitation of destroyed facilities, scholarship programmes and the recruitment of teachers across the state.
Following closely was the works and housing sector which got N94.27 billion dedicated to continuing the aggressive construction of urban and rural roads, building new bridges, and executing major housing projects for the residents and civil servants.
The health sector was allocated N66,40 billion which is expected to fund the completion and equipping of ongoing hospital projects as well as the procurement of essential drugs.
Other sectors with significant allocations include the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RRR), N58,71 billion for the returning of internally displaced persons to their rebuilt communities.
The governor projected total revenue of N317,68 billion for the year from the Federation Account, N44,30 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and estimated capital receipts of N417,22 billions which encompasses Aid, Grants and the Capital Development Fund.
In his response, Speaker Abdulkarim Lawan, assured the governor of the Assembly’s swift and diligent scrutiny of the budget proposal.
Lawan pledged that the legislature would conduct a detailed review to ensure it aligns with the state’s developmental needs before passage.
