Fintiri Presents ₦583.3bn 2026 Budget, Wins Adamawa Assembly’s Confidence

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has presented a proposed ₦583.33 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Adamawa State House of Assembly, receiving a vote of confidence from lawmakers.

Presenting the budget on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Fintiri said the proposal, tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Economic Renewal,” is designed to consolidate infrastructure development, strengthen social services, deepen economic reforms, and sustain peace across the state.

The governor explained that the budget emerged from extensive consultations with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), legislators, and other stakeholders, and aligns with his administration’s eight-point development agenda and commitment to inclusive governance.

According to him, the 2026 budget reflects prevailing economic realities and realistic revenue projections, with expenditure priorities carefully matched to the state’s fiscal capacity.

Fintiri said the administration would focus on completing ongoing projects, initiating strategic infrastructure, investing in education and healthcare, tackling poverty and hunger, and supporting agriculture, commerce, and small and medium-scale enterprises.

Highlighting achievements in youth and women empowerment, the governor disclosed that over 60,000 residents had benefited from the Fintiri Business Wallet scheme. He added that another 100,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive ₦50,000 each from December 2025, a programme he said would lift hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty.

On workers’ welfare, Fintiri reaffirmed that Adamawa was the first state in Nigeria to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage. He noted that ongoing civil service reforms, digitisation of government processes, and the gradual adoption of e-government platforms were improving efficiency and accountability.

In the education and health sectors, the governor said 21 model and mega schools were nearing completion and would begin academic activities in the first quarter of 2026. He also stated that cottage hospitals were operational, general hospitals were being upgraded, and projects in water supply, markets, electricity, and road construction were ongoing across the state. The reconstructed Yola ultramodern stadium, he added, was close to completion.

Reviewing the 2025 budget performance, Fintiri recalled that the approved estimate stood at ₦621.29 billion after a supplementary budget. As of September 30, 2025, the state had generated ₦235.34 billion, representing 37.9 per cent of projected revenue, while ₦189.51 billion had been spent on personnel costs, overheads, and capital projects.

He said the proposed 2026 budget would fund both recurrent and capital expenditure, with a sustained emphasis on capital development. Fiscal discipline would be maintained through compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER).

The governor also announced plans to introduce e-budgeting to replace bulky hard-copy documents, a move aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency, urging MDAs to strengthen their ICT capacity.

On revenue generation, Fintiri pledged to expand internally generated revenue by tapping untapped sources and leveraging grants, loans, and development financing, while assuring that borrowing would remain prudent and project-driven.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace, security, and harmonious relations with the legislature, expressing confidence that the 2026 budget would further position Adamawa State for inclusive and sustainable development.