Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda on Tuesday presented a proposed budget of ₦828.64 billion for 2027. The plan allocates nearly 77 per cent to capital projects.
This announcement comes as the state reported spending 26.57 per cent of its 2026 capital allocation by 28 August.
The budget, named “Building Your Future IV,” sets aside ₦637.91 billion (76.98 per cent) for capital spending and ₦190.73 billion (23.02 per cent) for recurrent expenses.
The proposed budget is ₦69.23 billion, or 7.71 per cent, lower than the ₦897.87 billion approved for 2026.
In 2026, Katsina’s budget allocated ₦726.30 billion (about 81 per cent) to capital projects and about 19 per cent to recurrent spending.
Mr Radda explained to the House of Assembly that the smaller budget for 2027 came after reviewing expected revenue and expenses.
"We took a pragmatic, disciplined and realistic view of both revenue and expenditure," he stated.
"We reviewed every available funding source to ensure fiscal balance, strengthen implementation and reduce the risk of shortfalls."
The budget will be funded by ₦95.77 billion in independent revenue, ₦234.30 billion in capital receipts, ₦487.81 billion in other expected receipts, and an opening balance of about ₦10.7 billion.
Capital spending at 26.57%
An official report on budget implementation shows that by 28 August, the state had spent ₦295.19 billion under the 2026 budget, which is 32.88 per cent overall.
Recurrent spending reached ₦102.17 billion (about 59.6 per cent of the approved recurrent budget).
Capital spending stood at ₦193.02 billion, or 26.57 per cent of the ₦726.30 billion capital budget.
This amount is higher than the first-quarter figure of ₦55.08 billion (7.6 per cent).
The first-quarter report said low early spending was due to procurement processes and lack of funding. It also projected an increase later.
Mr Radda expects spending to rise in the remaining months of 2026 as ongoing projects finish.
"We expect this figure to close much higher in our third and fourth quarterly reports for 2026," he said.
In 2025, capital spending ended at ₦342.56 billion (64.1 per cent of the final capital budget), with ₦227.80 billion recorded in the fourth quarter.
Education, roads, agriculture get priority
Five sectors will receive a total of ₦325.45 billion, which is 51.02 per cent of the proposed capital budget.
Basic and higher education will get ₦83.82 billion, followed by works and housing (₦71.60 billion), agriculture and livestock (₦65.88 billion), health (₦53.64 billion), and rural development (₦50.51 billion).
The remaining ₦312.47 billion (48.98 per cent) is set for other sectors, including security and e-governance.
In broader terms, the Social Sector will receive ₦317.73 billion (38.34 per cent of the total budget), the Economic Sector ₦303.17 billion (36.59 per cent), the Administrative Sector ₦198.55 billion, and Law and Justice ₦9.19 billion.
Projects selected in 361 wards
Mr Radda said the 2027 proposal comes from consultations held in all 361 wards on 18 July.
He noted that residents identified and prioritized their development needs. The top project from each ward is now part of the 2027 budget.
"Our people named their needs, weighed them, and ranked them," he said.
"The first priority project chosen by citizens in each ward now forms a clear, grassroots framework for the 2027 Fiscal Year."
Mr Radda assured that each ward will receive the project selected by its people.
Data from this consultation will also help guide programs in agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises, water and sanitation, women empowerment, environment, climate change, and security.
Radda lists continuing problems
Mr Radda pointed out ongoing issues in insecurity, education, healthcare, water, and sanitation.
He mentioned insecurity in frontline local government areas, shortages of teachers and learning materials, pressure on health services, and lack of access to clean water.
Health concerns include malaria, child malnutrition, maternal health issues, and water-borne diseases.
Mr Radda noted that many residents rely on boreholes for water and promised more investment in treated-water facilities and distribution networks.
On security, Mr Radda shared that the state spent over ₦7.5 billion in 2026, which includes ₦1.34 billion on assets and ₦6.16 billion on allowances and operations.
Assembly promises speedy passage
Speaker Nasir Daura stated that the House would quickly consider the appropriation bill.
He described the relationship between the executive and the eighth Assembly as friendly. The Assembly has passed over 50 bills and several motions.
Mr Radda praised the cooperation between both branches of government. He emphasized the need for legislative oversight for accountability and proper management of public resources.
During the same sitting, Mr Daura expressed the Assembly’s support for Mr Radda’s re-election and for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the 2027 elections.
He had made a similar statement in February, confirming all 34 members support Messrs Tinubu and Radda.
The appropriation bill is now with the House for consideration.
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