Address By His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya CON (Dan Majen Gombe), Governor Of Gombe State, On The Occassion Of The Presentation Of The 2026 Budget Proposal To The Gombe State House Of Assembly, Held On Thrusday, 13th November, 2025.
Protocol
It is with gratitude to God and profound sense of duty that I address this Honourable House today on the formal presentation of the 2026 Budget proposal for your valued consideration and eventual passage into law, as stipulated in Section 121(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
2. The 2026 Budget is strategically aligned with both our Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM) and the broader national economic landscape. It is a budget that prioritizes the pressing needs of our people while firmly anchoring our development trajectory on the pillars of sustainability, equity, and inclusive growth. It reflects our commitment to harnessing our tremendous potentials in order to propel Gombe State towards a more prosperous and secure future.
3. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to this Honourable House for the collaborative spirit and firm support you have demonstrated since 2019. The harmonious working relationship between the executive and legislative arms demonstrates that our democracy is indeed flourishing, thereby meeting the yearnings and aspirations of our people.
Review of the 2025 Budget Implementation:
4. Rt. Hon. Speaker, Hon. Members, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is important to highlight the implementation of the 2025 budget as follows:
· For the 2025 fiscal year, the sum of N369,902,500,000.00 was approved. This was made up of N116,004,715,000.00 as recurrent expenditures and N253,897,785,000.00 as capital expenditures, representing 31.36% and 68.64% of the approved budget respectively.
·The 2025 budget was expected to be financed by an estimated recurrent revenue of N265,910,245,000.00 a capital receipt of N116,720,000,000.00, and a closing balance of N12,727,745,000.00.
· However, during the year under review, the budget was reviewed to N451,661,858,000.00 through a supplementary budget which was submitted to the Honorable House and was approved accordingly.
· Our recurrent revenue performance as at 30th September 2025 stood at N336,484,678,083.82 representing 126.54% of our recurrent revenue projections, which necessitated the need for the supplementary budget in order to appropriate the excess inflows.
·The recurrent expenditure performance was N75,846,504,519.88 for the same period representing 65.38% of the recurrent expenditure budget. The sum of N54,269,880,919.82 was generated as capital receipts, representing a performance of 46.50% of our projected capital receipts. For the capital budget, the sum of N143,182,957515.78 was expended on capital projects and programs as at 30th September 2025, representing 59.89% of the capital expenditure budget.
· Overall budget performance stood at N219,029,462,035.66 as at 30th September 2025, representing 60.12%.
Achievements and Commitments:
5. Before delving into the specifics of the 2026 budget, allow me to highlight some of the notable achievements of this administration:
– Infrastructure & Urban Renewal: Under the Network 11-100 project, our administration has constructed over 1000 kilometres of road networks, thus delivering enhanced connectivity, boosting economic activities, and enhancing security across the state. Majority of the township roads are properly lit with solar-powered streetlights to enhance security and urban aesthetics. Infrastructural landmarks like the iconic City Center Underpass and the Northern Bypass stand as a testament to our administration’s vision of urban renewal and modernization.
Furthermore, through the diligent work of agencies like the Gombe Geographic Information System (GOGIS) and the Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA), we have standardized land administration, created new modern layouts, and rigorously enforced urban planning codes. These agencies are now set to extend their transformative operations beyond the state capital to other urban centers across the state, thereby ensuring organized development and efficient urban planning. This holistic strategy is laying a solid and sustainable foundation for a modern, organized, and prosperous Gombe State.
– Energy & Industrial Development: Since 2019, our administration has invested in harnessing the energy potentials of our state. We saw the success of the 40MW Dadin Kowa hydropower project built and operated by Mabon Energy Limited and sited the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadin Kowa in order to benefit directly from its operations. Recently, we flagged of the development of 0.62MW Balanga hydropower project in partnership with UNIDO and the European Union, and performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of two major power projects: the 1MW solar mini-grid project at Talasse to connect Balanga communities to clean and reliable power supply, and the 7.5MVA 33/11kV injection substation project at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park. To further accelerate our rural electrification drive, we have secured a strategic partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for the development of 22 additional solar mini-grid projects across the state.
– Education Sector: Over the past 6 years, we built over 1,800 classrooms in about 450 primary and secondary schools, thereby enhancing access to quality education for our children. We recruited 1,000 teachers to bridge the human resource gap in our education sector, upgraded five legacy secondary schools into Mega Colleges, built integrated Almajiri centers in each local government area, and mopped up over 450,000 out-of-school children. Through collaboration with the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Commission, we are actively working to integrate an even greater number of out-of-school children into the formal school system.
At the tertiary education level, we completed the Dukku Campus of the Gombe State University, the GSU Faculty of Agriculture at Mallam Sidi, increased funding for all state-owned tertiary institutions, raised student scholarship allowances by 100%, and settled outstanding allowances for academic staff.
In a landmark development, we recently secured the National Universities Commission (NUC) operational license for the take-off of Lincoln University Kumo, which will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with specialized focus on medical and health sciences.
– Health Sector: under our primary healthcare revitalization program, we built two fully functional Primary Health Care facilities in each of our 114 wards, thus bringing primary healthcare services to the doorsteps of our communities. At the secondary level, we upgraded the State Specialist Hospital in Gombe, the General hospitals in Kaltungo and Bajoga, and built a brand-new General Hospital in Kumo which was graciously upgraded to a Federal Medical Center by the Federal Government. We also built a brand new 1000-student capacity College of Nursing and Midwifery to facilitate the training of health personnel.
Through Go-Health, we extended affordable healthcare coverage to about 380,000 residents, including 100,000 vulnerable individuals. Recently, I approved the implementation of CONMESS/CONHESS salary structure for all health workers, bringing them at par with the federal level. This will indeed increase retention of medical personnel in our state health service.
– Agriculture: Over the past years, we ensured timely distribution of subsidized fertilizer, seedlings and other agricultural inputs to support our farmers for both wet and dry season farming. In our efforts to harness Gombe’s tremendous agricultural potential, we are building an Agro-Livestock Development Zone that comprises an international livestock and animal feeds market, international grains and produce market, a modern abattoir, and an in-land dry port. The 180-hectare zone, will further position Gombe State as the agro-processing hub of the north-east subregion, thus creating thousands of jobs and adding significant value to our agricultural produce.
– Water, Environment & Sanitation: with the expansion and rehabilitation of the Gombe Regional Water Supply Scheme, we are implementing small towns water supply schemes in order to address long-standing water shortage in some local government areas. We also built or rehabilitated about 1,400 boreholes, mostly in rural areas. In the area of environmental remediation, we undertook the rehabilitation of major gullies such as the ones at GSU-Mallam Inna, FCE(T), Dawaki-Herwagana, Gombe International Hotel, and we recently embarked on another major project that commences at Nayinawa and traverses Gabukka-Pantami-Hayin Misau to GGSS Doma.
– Public Service Reforms: As you are all aware, Gombe State is among the first states to implement the 70,000-naira minimum wage. Since 2019, we have cleared over N33.83 billion in gratuity liabilities. We are also up-to-date on the payment of pensions to our retirees, thus demonstrating our commitment to helping thousands of our retirees and giving them a dignified life after service. We have also invested in promotion (with consequential benefits) and capacity building programs for our civil servants, with a view to enhancing productivity and improving service delivery.
– Governance & Heritage: The ongoing construction of the Three Arms Zone, encompassing the state secretariat, state house of assembly, and state high court complexes is progressing remarkably well, and stands as a testament to our vision of fostering institutional strength through the provision of physical structures and a conducive working environment for our public officials.
We shall also build a befitting secretariat for the council of emirs and chiefs in order to ensure their effective performance. Beyond these new projects, our commitment to dignity and heritage is reflected in the ongoing renovations of the palaces of our esteemed Emirs and District Heads, alongside concerted efforts to restore and preserve historic buildings across the state.
These interventions, both modern and traditional, collectively represent our holistic strategy to build a Gombe State that is institutionally strong, administratively efficient, and deeply rooted in its proud history.
The 2026 Budget Proposal:
6. Rt. Honorable Speaker, Honorable members, distinguished guests; in pursuit of our shared vision for a prosperous Gombe State in the 2026 fiscal year and beyond, I hereby present a proposed budget of N535,691,983,000.00 only. Out of this, N164,250,813,000.00 is allocated for recurrent expenditure, accounting for 30.66%, while N371,441,170,000.00 is earmarked for capital expenditure, representing 69.34% of the total budgeted sum.
7. In the 2026 fiscal year, we plan to generate the sum of N416,102,996,204.00 only as recurrent revenues, and the sum of N225,570,000,000.00 only as capital receipts, while our estimated closing balance for 2025 is expected to be N100,000,000,000.00 only.
Revenue and Expenditure Estimates:
8. The proposed sectoral allocation for the 2026 budget is as follows:
(i) Recurrent Revenue Receipts: These are expected to be sourced as follows:
a) Internally Generated Revenue – N39,052,996,204.00
b) Statutory Allocation – N80,000,000,000.00
c) Government share of VAT – N65,000,000,000.00
d) Other FAAC receipts – N132,050,000,000.00
(ii) Recurrent Expenditure: comprises of the following:
a) Personnel Cost – N41,222,383,000.00
b) Overhead Cost – N91,979,430,000.00
c) Social benefits – N10,049,000,000.00
d) Debt repayments – N21,000,000,000.00
(iii) Capital Receipts: This is expected to come from:
a) Opening Balance – N100,000,000,000.00
b) Transfer from CRF to CDF – N251,852,183,204.00
d) Domestic Grants – N18,920,000,000.00
e) External Grants. – N4,950,000,000.00
f) External Credit – N186,700,000,000.00
g) Domestic borrowings – N7,000,000,000.00
h) Other Capital Receipts – N8,000,000,000.00
iv. Capital Expenditure: To implement our expenditure plan for the 2025 fiscal year, sectoral allocations are broadly categorized under the following sectors:
(Naira)
a
Economic Sector
N269,542,100,000.00
b
Social Sector
N80,098,070,000.00
c
General Administration Sector
N19,628,000,000.00
d
Law and Justice Sector
N2,173,000,000.00
Proposed Sectoral Allocation
Economic Sector
i
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives
N20,571,000,000.00
ii
Trade, Industry and Tourism
N4,022,000,000.00
iii
Works, Housing and Transport
N135,935,500,000.00
iv
Land Administration
N6,459,500,000.00
v
Water Resources, Environment and Forest Resources
N88,415,000,000.00
Social Sector
vi
Education
N31,953,560,000.00
vii
Higher Education
N17,519,000,000.00
viii
Health
N25,924,010,000.00
ix
Youth & Sports Development
N3,330,000,000.00
x
Women Affairs and Social Development
1,275,500,000.00
xi
Information & Culture
N10,380,000,000.00
xii
General Administration
N9,248,000,000.00
xiii
Law and Justice
N2,173,000,000.00
The Nigerian Economy on the Road to Recovery
9. During my budget presentation last year, we were confronted with significant national economic crises arising from the fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms. However, these bold reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are now yielding tangible results. We are witnessing a remarkable stabilization of the Naira, a steady decline in inflation, continuous increase in our inflows from the federation account, and a renewed sense of confidence in our national economic trajectory. Gombe State stood in solidarity with the Federal Government by implementing complementary measures to cushion the side effects of the reforms and position itself in order to harness the emerging opportunities. As the economic tide turns, we foresee a period of accelerated growth and prosperity for both Gombe State and Nigeria at large. I urge our citizens to maintain their patience and confidence, for the foundation being laid today promises a more secure and prosperous tomorrow for all.
10. As this administration enters its final phase, our commitment is stronger than ever. We are not slowing down; we are doubling up. From the ruins of inherited challenges, we have raised Gombe State to a model of governance which is emulated by several states across the federation. This budget is designed to ensure that the trajectory of progress that we set for Gombe State remains steady and irreversible.
Presentation Of The 2025 Budget
11. Rt. Honourable Speaker, Honourable Members, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my singular honor to present to this esteemed House the 2026 budget proposal amounting to N535,691,983,000.00 titled “Budget of Consolidation” out of our determination to consolidate all gains and institutionalize a legacy of impactful governance that will endure for generations. It is designed to be both visionary and pragmatic, thus ensuring that our fiscal policies translate directly into tangible and ever-lasting improvements in the lives of our citizens.
12. I urge the Honourable House to scrutinize the budget thoroughly and enrich it with your inputs. The task before us is to give our people a budget that truly reflects their hopes and secures their future.
13. Thank you for listening and God bless you all.
God bless Gombe State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!