Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Monday presented a budget estimate of ₦890,331,686,000.00 for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly in Maiduguri.
The proposal, tagged the “Budget of Sustained Recovery and Growth,” allocates ₦353,767,349,000.00 to recurrent expenditure and ₦536,564,337,000.00 to capital expenditure, reflecting a stronger focus on development projects.
While presenting the budget, Zulum said its structure reflects his administration’s commitment to long-term development and infrastructure renewal, describing it as essential for a state steadily recovering from insurgency. He noted that the budget demonstrates the government’s resolve to rebuild communities, restore economic activities and secure a safer, more prosperous future for residents.
The governor disclosed that the education sector received the highest allocation of ₦135,430,647,000.00, citing strong performance in the previous year. According to him, the sector recorded a 97.1 per cent budget performance in capital projects in 2025, underscoring the administration’s commitment to results. He explained that the 2026 allocation would fund the construction of new schools, rehabilitation of damaged facilities, scholarship schemes and the recruitment of teachers across the state.
Other key allocations include ₦94,270,541,000.00 for the Ministry of Works and Housing, ₦66,408,136,000.00 for the Ministry of Health, ₦58,710,006,000.00 for the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, ₦44,947,429,000.00 for Agriculture, and ₦21,353,536,000.00 for the Ministry of Water Resources, among others.
Zulum projected total revenue of ₦317,688,140,000.00 from the Federation Account, ₦44,300,801,000.00 from Internally Generated Revenue, and ₦417,226,513,000.00 as capital receipts, including aid, grants and the Capital Development Fund.
In his response, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, assured the governor that lawmakers would promptly and thoroughly examine the proposal, pledging a detailed review to ensure it meets the state’s development priorities before passage.
Meanwhile, an opposition lawmaker of the Peoples Democratic Party representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Usman Balami, who attended the presentation, commended Zulum’s leadership for the effective implementation of the 2025 budget. He said development was a collective responsibility that transcends political affiliations, adding that his presence was to ensure accountability.
Balami described the 2026 proposal as timely and in line with the administration’s 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative and 25-Year Development Plan. He added that he would personally describe it as a “Budget of Unity and Holistic Development,” noting that all sectors received significant attention under the Zulum administration.
ADEOLA KUNLE
