 |
| Governor Uba Sani, Kaduna State |
Governor Uba Sani’s administration took a significant step towards inclusive governance by organizing a Town Hall Meeting at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna, to discuss the draft of the 2025 Multi-Year Budget, aptly titled “Sustaining Rural Transformation and Inclusive Development.”
The event, which drew participants from civil society groups, stakeholders, and government officials, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in budget formulation.
During the event, stakeholders shared their valuable insights and suggestions, contributing to the refinement of the proposed budget. Their positive feedback on the effective implementation of the 2024 budget, which has demonstrably improved the lives of Kaduna State residents, further underscored the government’s commitment to delivering tangible results.
Governor Uba Sani: A Champion of Inclusive Governance
Governor Sani reiterated the administration’s unwavering dedication to citizen participation in governance. He emphasized that the suggestions and recommendations gathered from the Town Hall Meeting would be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final budget document.
“We are determined to leave a lasting legacy of inclusive governance,” Governor Sani stated. “The 2025 budget will build upon the progress made in rural transformation, focusing on substantial infrastructure development and targeted interventions for urban poor communities. Our goal is to elevate the quality of life for every citizen of Kaduna State.”
A Year and a Half of Transformative Progress.
During the meeting, the Governor presented a comprehensive overview of the administration’s achievements over the past 18 months. Key highlights included significant strides in rural transformation, infrastructure development, and inclusive governance. The 2025 budget is poised to further solidify these gains, with a particular emphasis on rural development and support for marginalized urban populations.
 |
| Across section of participants |
The Town Hall Meeting stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to transparency and active citizen engagement. As the administration gears up to implement its ambitious rural transformation agenda, it remains steadfast in its dedication to creating a brighter future for all Kaduna State residents.
Presenting the 2025–2027 budget, the Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Mukhtar Ahmed explained that the proposed budget draft aligns with the administration’s SUSTAIN Agenda focusing on agriculture, rural economic development, security, infrastructure, and human capital development. He highlighted the significance of participatory budgeting, emphasizing that it reflects the values and aspirations of the people.
Commissioner Planning and Budget
Key Budget Highlights
The proposed 2025 budget amounts to ₦790.44 billion, with allocations prioritized to critical sectors to address ongoing challenges and drive sustainable development:
Education and Health: 26% and 16% of the budget, respectively, totaling 42% for these critical sectors.
Capital to Recurrent Expenditure Ratio: 60:40 to ensure infrastructural and developmental investments.
Sectoral Allocations:
Economic Sector (Agriculture, Public Works, Infrastructure): ₦370.56 billion
Social Sector (Education, Health, Social Development): ₦358.07 billion
General Administration: ₦48.33 billion
Law and Justice: ₦13.48 billion
Ahmed also addressed macroeconomic assumptions underlying the budget, including an exchange rate of ₦1,400/$1, inflation at 24%, and crude oil priced at $70 per barrel. He noted that despite economic uncertainties, the budget avoided deficit financing.
Co-chair of the State Action Plan III (SAPIII) of the Open Government Partnership (OGP)
Civil Society Highlights Key Issues in 2025 Draft Budget
At the Kaduna State 2025 Budget Town Hall Meeting, the Civil Society Co-chair of the State Action Plan III (SAPIII) of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), Mubarak Abdulganiyi, in a goodwill message called for transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.
Abdulganiyi commended the Kaduna State Government for its tradition of collaboration and innovative measures, including climate change budget tagging and substantial investments in education and health.
Key Observations and Recommendations
While applauding the ambitious ₦790.4 billion budget proposal, Abdulganiyi highlighted critical challenges and areas requiring strategic focus:
– Debt Sustainability: The rise in debt service obligations from ₦25.5 billion to ₦70.9 billion was flagged as a significant concern and called for intensified efforts to balance debt repayment with developmental priorities.
– Education and Health: Although these sectors received commendable allocations of 26.14% and 16.07% respectively, he noted persistent gaps in infrastructure, staffing, and service delivery that require urgent attention.
– Climate Change: The allocations for climate change adaptation (₦53.5 billion) and mitigation (₦59.7 billion) were praised, but Abdulganiyi stressed the importance of translating these funds into measurable outcomes through effective implementation.
– Revenue Generation: The decline in independent revenue projections compared to 2024 highlighted the need for innovative strategies to boost internally generated revenue and reduce reliance on federal allocations.
– Agriculture and Infrastructure: the Co-chair lauded the increased funding for agriculture and public works but urged the government to ensure these allocations translate into tangible benefits like food security, rural development, and economic diversification.
Call for Deeper Engagement
Mubarak Abdulganiyi emphasized the importance of providing civil society with adequate time to review and provide input on budget proposals, urging the government to adhere to the Kaduna State Fiscal Responsibility Law.
“Constructive engagement from formulation to implementation will help manage expectations and enhance public support for government priorities,” he stated.
Commitment to Partnership
The Civil Society reaffirmed the commitment to work collaboratively with the government to ensure the final budget reflects the aspirations of all citizens.
“Despite challenges, this budget represents an opportunity to build a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance system,” he concluded
 |
| Across section of participants |
0 Comments