By Ben Ngwakwe
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State on Thursday presented a proposed budget of ₦535.69 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the “Budget of Consolidation” is aimed at sustaining the state’s growth trajectory and deepening development gains recorded since 2019.
Presenting the budget at the Assembly complex in Gombe, the governor expressed gratitude to God and commended the legislature for its consistent cooperation with the executive arm, which he said had ensured the success of his administration’s policies and programmes.
“The 2026 Budget is strategically aligned with our Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM) and the broader national economic landscape,” Yahaya stated. “It prioritises the pressing needs of our people while anchoring our development trajectory on sustainability, equity, and inclusive growth.”
According to Governor Yahaya, the total proposed budget stands at ₦535.69 billion, comprising ₦164.25 billion (30.66%) for recurrent expenditure and ₦371.44 billion (69.34%) for capital expenditure.
He explained that the budget would be financed through ₦416.1 billion in recurrent revenues and ₦225.57 billion in capital receipts, with a projected opening balance of ₦100 billion from the 2025 fiscal year.
A sectoral breakdown shows that the economic sector received the largest share with ₦269.54 billion, followed by the social sector with ₦80.10 billion, general administration with ₦19.63 billion, and law and justice with ₦2.17 billion.
Within the economic sector, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport received the highest allocation of ₦135.93 billion, followed by Water Resources and Environment (₦88.41 billion) and Agriculture (₦20.57 billion). The education sector was allocated ₦31.95 billion, higher education ₦17.52 billion, and health ₦25.92 billion.
Reviewing the performance of the outgoing 2025 fiscal year, Yahaya disclosed that the initially approved ₦369.9 billion budget was revised upward to ₦451.66 billion after a supplementary appropriation, following improved revenue performance.
As of September 30, 2025, the state had realized ₦336.48 billion in recurrent revenue, representing 126.54% of projections, while total budget performance stood at ₦219.03 billion or 60.12%.
Highlighting key achievements across sectors, the governor listed major strides in infrastructure, energy, education, health, agriculture, and governance.
He said under the Network 11-100 Project, his administration had constructed over 1,000 kilometres of roads, completed the Gombe City Centre underpass and Northern Bypass, and expanded solar street lighting across the state.
In the energy and industrial sectors, Yahaya cited the completion of the 40MW Dadin Kowa hydropower project, the launch of a 1MW solar mini-grid in Talasse, and partnerships with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for 22 additional mini-grid projects.
On education, he said the government had built 1,800 classrooms, recruited 1,000 teachers, established Mega Colleges, reduced the number of out-of-school children by 450,000, and facilitated the take-off of Lincoln University, Kumo.
The health sector saw the construction of new General Hospitals and Primary Health Centres, upgrades of existing facilities, establishment of the College of Nursing and Midwifery, and implementation of the CONMESS/CONHESS salary structures for health workers.
In agriculture, the government supported farmers with subsidised inputs and launched an Agro-Livestock Development Zone to promote agribusiness and create jobs.
Yahaya also mentioned significant progress in the public service, including the implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage, clearance of over ₦33.8 billion in gratuities, and regular payment of pensions. He added that work was ongoing on the Three Arms Zone and rehabilitation of traditional palaces across the state.
The governor said Nigeria’s economy was showing signs of recovery following national reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, such as fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange liberalization.
“We are witnessing the stabilization of the naira, a steady decline in inflation, and an increase in federation inflows,” Yahaya stated. “Gombe has taken proactive measures to cushion the impacts of these reforms and position itself for the emerging opportunities.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to sustain its development momentum, noting that the 2026 budget was designed to consolidate achievements and institutionalise a legacy of impactful governance.
“We are not slowing down; we are doubling up,” he declared. “This budget is designed to ensure that the trajectory of progress we set for Gombe remains steady and irreversible.”
Governor Yahaya formally presented the ₦535.7 billion ‘Budget of Consolidation’ to the House for legislative consideration and passage, urging lawmakers to subject it to robust scrutiny and enrich it with inputs that reflect the aspirations of the people.