Namadi unveils massive N901.8bn Budget to transform Jigawa in 2026

Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, on Wednesday presented a ₦901.8 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, unveiling what he described as the state’s “most ambitious yet achievable” development blueprint.

The proposal represents a 19.2 per cent increase over the ₦756.3 billion budget for 2025, signalling a strong push to accelerate infrastructure development, strengthen agriculture, expand energy access and deepen investments in education, health and social welfare.

Presenting the budget in Dutse, the governor said the proposal is anchored on the state’s 12-Point Agenda and its newly approved Comprehensive Development Framework, both designed to guide long-term transformation.

He explained that the ₦901.8 billion revenue projection will be drawn from statutory allocation, VAT, other federal transfers, internally generated revenue, LEA and PHC reimbursements, as well as capital receipts from the opening balance, loans and grants.

According to him, the figures were carefully validated to ensure a realistic and credible financing structure.

Namadi emphasised that the 2026 budget heavily favours capital expenditure, with ₦693.4 billion, equivalent to 76.9 per cent of the entire proposal, dedicated to long-term investments.

Recurrent spending will cover ₦120 billion for personnel costs, ₦75.6 billion for overheads, ₦7 billion for contingency and stabilisation and ₦5.7 billion for public debt charges.

The governor said prioritising capital projects reflects his administration’s determination to lay lasting foundations for economic expansion.

A significant portion of the budget goes to the economic sector, which receives more than ₦396 billion to strengthen roads and transport, boost agriculture and livestock production, improve power and energy reliability, expand commercial activities, support strategic investments and widen youth empowerment and job-creation programmes.

Namadi said these investments are expected to enhance connectivity, raise agricultural output, stimulate markets and reduce youth unemployment.

The social sector also receives substantial allocations totalling over ₦236 billion. Education dominates this segment, with provisions for basic, post-basic and tertiary education, while the health sector gets sizeable allocations for both the Ministry of Health and the Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Women’s affairs, social development, as well as information, culture, youth and sports also receive funding. The governor noted that combined allocations for education and health exceed ₦310 billion, underscoring the central role of human capital development in the state’s growth strategy.

He further highlighted key allocations aimed at strengthening water supply systems, sanitation infrastructure, environmental protection, climate resilience, land administration, housing and urban development, and local governance.

These investments, he said, will expand access to clean water, support erosion-control efforts, mitigate climate risks and promote more efficient urban and regional planning.

Alongside the state budget, Namadi presented the consolidated budget of the 27 local government councils amounting to ₦288.8 billion. The councils’ spending plan includes personnel costs, overheads, contingency provisions and capital investment aimed at improving grassroots development across Jigawa.

The governor urged the Assembly to give the budget expedited consideration to ensure continuity in the state’s development agenda and sustain progress already achieved across multiple sectors.