Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has presented a proposed N828.64 billion budget for 2027 to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The budget, tagged “Building Your Future IV,” allocates N637.91 billion, representing 76.98 per cent, to capital projects, while N190.73 billion, or 23.02 per cent, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
The proposed budget is N69.23 billion lower than the approved 2026 budget. Radda said the reduction was based on a more realistic assessment of the state’s expected revenue and expenditure.
Presenting the proposal on Tuesday, the governor said, “We took a pragmatic, disciplined and realistic view of both revenue and expenditure. We reviewed every available funding source to ensure fiscal balance, strengthen implementation and reduce the risk of shortfalls.”
He explained that the 2027 budget was largely based on needs identified by residents during consultations held across the state’s 361 wards.
According to him, each ward will receive a special project chosen by its residents, while information gathered during the exercise will be used to guide government interventions in agriculture, small businesses, water and sanitation, women’s empowerment, the environment and security.
“Our people named their needs, weighed them and ranked them. This budget therefore answers the real and pressing needs of our communities, not assumptions made from afar,” he said.
The Social Sector received the largest share of the budget at N317.73 billion, representing 38.34 per cent. It was followed by the Economic Sector with N303.17 billion, while N198.55 billion was allocated to administration and N9.19 billion to Law and Justice.
Five key areas will receive a combined N325.45 billion from the capital budget. Education was allocated N83.82 billion, Works and Housing N71.60 billion, Agriculture and Livestock N65.88 billion, Health N53.64 billion and Rural Development N50.51 billion.
Radda said the allocations were aimed at improving schools and healthcare, increasing agricultural production, developing roads and housing, and providing better infrastructure in rural areas.
On the implementation of the 2026 budget, the governor said the state had spent N295.19 billion as of August 28, representing 32.88 per cent of the approved budget. Capital spending stood at N193.02 billion.
He expressed optimism that spending would increase before the end of the year as several ongoing projects are completed.