By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has presented a total budget estimate of ₦535.69 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Gombe State House of Assembly, christening it the ‘Budget of Consolidation’.
The governor said the appropriation bill was designed to consolidate the administration’s developmental gains over the past six years and sustain its reform-driven trajectory anchored on transparency, inclusiveness, and fiscal discipline.
Addressing lawmakers during the budget presentation at the Assembly Complex, Yahaya said the 2026 proposal aligns with the Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM) and reflects his administration’s commitment to “sustainability, equity, and inclusive growth.”
“This budget 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 to propel Gombe State toward a more prosperous and secure future,” he said.
Out of the ₦535.69 billion proposal, ₦371.44 billion representing 69.34% is earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦164.25 billion or 30.66% is for recurrent spending.
The budget is expected to be funded through ₦416.1 billion in recurrent revenues and ₦225.57 billion in capital receipts, with an opening balance of ₦100 billion from 2025.
In the sectoral distribution, the economic sector takes the lion’s share of ₦269.54 billion, followed by the social sector with ₦80.09 billion. The general administration and law and justice sectors receive ₦19.63 billion and ₦2.17 billion respectively.
Yahaya disclosed that the works, housing, and transport sub-sector would receive ₦135.93 billion to sustain the ongoing Network 11-100 project, which has so far delivered over 1,000 kilometres of roads across the state.
The education sector is allocated ₦31.95 billion, while higher education and health receive ₦17.52 billion and ₦25.92 billion respectively.
The governor highlighted key achievements of his administration, including the construction of two Primary Healthcare Centres in each of the state’s 114 wards, the establishment of a 1,000-student capacity College of Nursing and Midwifery, and the integration of over 450,000 out-of-school children through the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Commission.
He also cited the state’s industrial drive anchored on the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, powered by the 40MW Dadin Kowa Hydropower Project, and ongoing efforts to develop an Agro-Livestock Development Zone and inland dry port to position Gombe as the North-East’s agro-industrial hub.
Yahaya commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting that the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange realignments were “painful but necessary steps” now yielding tangible results.
“We are witnessing a remarkable stabilization of the naira, a steady decline in inflation, and renewed confidence in our national economic trajectory,” he said, assuring that Gombe would continue to complement federal efforts through responsible fiscal management.
He further noted that Gombe remains among the first states to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, clear ₦33.83 billion in gratuity liabilities, and sustain prompt pension payments.
On urban renewal, the Governor mentioned the Three Arms Zone project comprising the new State Secretariat, Assembly, and High Court complexes, as well as the proposed Council of Emirs and Chiefs Secretariat to enhance traditional governance.
Presenting the appropriation bill for legislative scrutiny, Yahaya said the 2026 fiscal plan symbolizes the culmination of his administration’s efforts to institutionalize good governance.
“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 to a model of governance emulated by several states across the federation,” he declared.
He urged the lawmakers to give the budget expeditious consideration, stressing that the ultimate goal is to “give our people a budget that truly reflects their hopes and secures their future.”