Katsina Allocates N341 Billion to Social Sector in 2026 Budget

The Katsina State Government has proposed to spend over N341 billion on the social sector as part of its N897.8 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year.

Governor Dikko Umar Radda announced the figures on Tuesday while presenting the appropriation bill to the Katsina State House of Assembly. The proposed budget represents an increase of N205.6 billion compared to the 2025 fiscal year.

Radda explained that capital expenditure will account for N730 billion, or 81.32 percent of the total budget, while recurrent expenditure is projected at N167.7 billion, representing 18.68 percent.

He said that personnel costs, including salaries and pensions, would consume N72.2 billion, while another N95.5 billion is set aside for other recurrent and overhead expenses.

The budget will be financed through a projected N577 billion in recurrent revenue, made up of N489 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and N88.5 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Breaking down the sectoral allocations, Radda noted that:

The administrative sector will receive N177 billion (19.74%),

The economic sector will take N371.8 billion (41.42%),

The law and justice sector will get N7.3 billion (0.81%), and

The social sector is allocated N341 billion (38.03%).

Further details show that the Ministry of Basic, Secondary and Higher Education will get the largest share of N156.2 billion (17.41%), followed by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport with N117 billion (13.05%), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development with N78.6 billion (8.76%).

Other key allocations include N67.5 billion (7.52%) for the Ministry of Health, N62.8 billion (7%) for the Ministry of Water Resources, and N53.8 billion (6%) for the Ministry of Environment.

Governor Radda urged lawmakers to give the proposal prompt attention and approval to ensure timely execution of government projects and programs in 2026.

Responding, the Speaker of the House, Nasiru Yahaya, assured that the Assembly would begin immediate budget defense sessions with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He pledged a thorough but speedy review process to guarantee continued delivery of democratic dividends to citizens.

Meanwhile, the state continues to grapple with security challenges, as several local councils, including Dutsinma, Kankara, Faskari, and Sabuwa, have recently entered peace deals with bandit groups to curb violence. However, concerns persist over the credibility of these agreements, as armed bandits were reportedly seen attending some of the meetings without surrendering their weapons.