By Shu’aibu Gachi
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has presented a proposed N828.64 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year, with 76.98 per cent earmarked for capital projects aimed at accelerating development across the state.
Presenting the Appropriation Bill, tagged “Building Your Future IV,” before the Katsina State House of Assembly, Governor Radda said the proposal was designed to improve citizens’ welfare and ensure that development reaches both urban and rural communities.
He said N637.91 billion, representing 76.98 per cent of the proposed budget, would be spent on capital projects, while N190.73 billion, or 23.02 per cent, would go to recurrent expenditure.
According to him, the proposed budget is N69.23 billion, or 7.71 per cent, lower than the approved 2026 budget, following a review of the state’s revenue outlook and expenditure priorities.
Governor Radda said the administration adopted a pragmatic and disciplined approach to ensure that available resources were aligned with priority development needs.
He described the 2027 budget as the most participatory in the history of the state, saying its priorities were substantially informed by the Citizens’ Budget Exercise conducted simultaneously across all 361 wards on July 18, 2026.
“Our people named their needs, weighed them and ranked them. The first priority project chosen by citizens in each ward now forms a clear, grassroots framework for the 2027 fiscal year,” he said.
The Governor added that each of the 361 wards would receive a special project chosen by residents, while data generated from the exercise would guide interventions in agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, water and sanitation, women empowerment, environmental protection, climate change and security.
He said the Social Sector would receive N317.73 billion, representing 38.34 per cent of the budget, while the Economic Sector would get N303.17 billion, or 36.59 per cent.
The Administrative Sector was allocated N198.55 billion, while N9.19 billion was earmarked for Law and Justice.
Governor Radda said five priority sectors would receive a combined N325.45 billion from the capital budget.
Education was allocated N83.82 billion, Works and Housing N71.60 billion, Agriculture and Livestock N65.88 billion, Health N53.64 billion and Rural Development N50.51 billion.
He said the allocations were expected to support improved educational infrastructure and scholarships, road construction, food security, livestock development, healthcare delivery and rural infrastructure.
Reviewing the implementation of the 2026 budget, Governor Radda said the state had recorded progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, water, rural development and security.
He said total recurrent and capital expenditure stood at N295.19 billion as of August 28, representing 32.88 per cent of the approved budget.
The Governor expressed optimism that implementation would improve significantly before the end of the year as ongoing projects are completed.
On education, he said the administration had invested billions of naira in school rehabilitation and construction through programmes including the Transforming Education System at State Level (TESS), AGILE and interventions supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission.
He also said more than N9.59 billion had been invested since 2025 in equipping the Medical Imaging Centre at the General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Katsina, which is being converted into a world-class cancer and imaging centre.
In agriculture, Governor Radda said N21.43 billion had been committed to fertiliser procurement in collaboration with local government councils, alongside investments in irrigation, improved seeds and rural access roads.
On security, he said the state had spent more than N7.5 billion in 2026 on security assets, allowances and operations.
He acknowledged that insecurity, inadequate staffing and learning materials, healthcare pressures, water supply and infrastructure deficits remained major challenges confronting the state.
Governor Radda said the administration would continue to prioritise these areas, particularly in frontline communities, while expanding access to potable water and sanitation facilities.
He also commended the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, and members of the legislature for what he described as a constructive partnership with the Executive.
The Governor said sustained cooperation between the two arms of government was critical to effective governance, accountability and the implementation of policies and programmes.
He expressed confidence that the Assembly would give the 2027 Appropriation Bill expeditious and constructive consideration.
Governor Radda also appreciated traditional institutions, religious bodies, security agencies, development partners and civil servants for their contributions to the development of the state.
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