By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Gombe State Commissioner of Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Alkali, on Tuesday presented a detailed breakdown of the proposed 2026 budget estimated at ₦535.69 billion. The proposal was recently submitted by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
Speaking to journalists in Gombe, Alkali said the progress recorded across the state in recent years was the product of “collective sacrifice from the length and breadth of the state,” adding that the patience and cooperation of citizens were beginning to yield tangible developmental gains.
He noted that the 2026 Appropriation Bill, tagged Budget of Consolidation, was prepared in conformity with the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA) to align Gombe’s budgeting framework with national standards. All 11 Local Government Councils, he added, have also adopted the same system.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the goals of the state’s 10-Year Development Plan (DEVAGOM), Alkali described the preparation of the 2026 budget as innovative and challenging, yet ultimately rewarding.
On the performance of the 2025 budget as of 30 September, the commissioner added, “the original budget of ₦369.9 billion was later revised upward to ₦451.66 billion following increased inflows from the federation account and internally generated revenue. A supplementary budget to reflect this adjustment was subsequently approved by the House of Assembly.”
According to him, recurrent revenue for the period stood at ₦336.48 billion, representing 126.54 percent performance, while recurrent expenditure amounted to ₦75.85 billion or 65.38 percent. Capital receipts reached ₦52.77 billion, translating to 45.10 percent performance, whereas capital expenditure was ₦143.18 billion or 56.39 percent.
Alkali explained that the 2026 budget focuses on seven critical areas: education; youth empowerment and poverty alleviation; agriculture; health; environment and potable water; works and infrastructure; and creating an enabling environment for domestic and foreign investment.
According to him, the increased budget size reflects the administration’s determination to accelerate improvements in the living standards of Gombe citizens.
“The proposed recurrent expenditure for 2026 is ₦164.25 billion, representing a 29.77 percent increase from the 2025 figure. Personnel costs account for ₦41.22 billion, an increase of 17.25 percent, while overhead costs rise sharply to ₦91.98 billion—an increase of 76.35 percent. Social benefits drop to ₦10.05 billion, representing a 40.69 percent decrease, and debt servicing is projected at ₦21 billion, a 5.85 percent reduction.
“Capital expenditure for 2026 is projected at ₦371.44 billion, a 14.25 percent increase over the revised 2025 figure. Of this amount, the economic sector is allocated ₦269.54 billion, the social sector ₦80.10 billion, general administration ₦19.63 billion, and the law and justice sector ₦2.17 billion,” he said.
Alkali stated that the government expects to generate ₦316.10 billion in recurrent revenue in 2026. Internally generated revenue is projected at ₦39.05 billion, a 19.22 percent increase; statutory allocation at ₦80 billion, representing a 9.58 percent rise; and VAT share at ₦65 billion, which marks an 18.75 percent decrease. Other FAAC receipts are projected at ₦132.05 billion, a 25.39 percent increase.
Alkali said, “Projected capital receipts for 2026 stand at ₦225.57 billion, a 61.93 percent increase. The figure includes ₦18.92 billion in domestic grants, ₦4.95 billion in foreign grants, ₦7 billion in local borrowing, and ₦186.7 billion in external borrowing.”
The Commissioner clarified that the substantial external borrowing component consists mainly of drawdowns from multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, secured by the Federal Government on behalf of Gombe State.
He assured that the administration of Governor Yahaya, remains committed to completing all ongoing projects before the end of its second term. He also commended the Gombe Internal Revenue Service (GIRS) for surpassing its 2025 revenue target ahead of schedule and encouraged the agency to further strengthen efforts to reduce the state’s reliance on federal allocations.
Alkali emphasised that the government would prioritise strict monitoring of income and expenditure in 2026 to ensure transparency, fiscal discipline, and the effective delivery of democratic dividends to the people.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had earlier presented the 2026 budget proposal to the State House of Assembly on 13 November 2025.
