By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has presented the much-anticipated 2026 Appropriation Bill of the sum of N878.152 billion to the State House of Assembly(BAHA) for consideration.
The budget proposal which is tagged “Budget of Hope and Consultation,” to reflect the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, long-term development planning, and strategic investment in key economic sectors at temporary Assembly inside the International Conference Centre, (ICC) Bauchi for approval.
The event was attended by lawmakers, cabinet members, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and development partners.
Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the 2026 budget was designed to consolidate ongoing reforms while responding to emerging economic realities at both state and national levels.
He emphasized that the proposal was shaped through extensive consultations with communities, stakeholders, and policy experts to ensure that government priorities genuinely align with the needs and aspirations of the people.
According to him, the budget embodies a vision of sustainable growth, social inclusion, and resilient infrastructure.
The Governor highlighted critical allocations focusing on education, healthcare, agriculture, rural roads, water supply, and youth empowerment—sectors he described as essential to transforming livelihoods across the state.
He reaffirmed the government’s determination to complete major ongoing projects and initiate new ones that will drive productivity, expand job opportunities, and strengthen local economies.
He further stressed the importance of prudent resource management and transparency in public expenditure.
Unlike previous budget cycles, the 2026 proposal places pronounced emphasis on strategic alignment between grassroots priorities and state development objectives.
The Governor noted that the document emerged from an intensive consultative process that cut across communities, technocrats, and policy institutions an approach aimed at ensuring that governance reflects the lived realities of ordinary citizens.
He also outlined a fiscal framework centered on human capital development, productive sectors, and resilient infrastructure systems.
The Governor disclosed that substantial allocations were directed at education, healthcare delivery, agricultural innovation, rural accessibility, potable water provision, and youth-focused initiatives areas he described as the “lifeblood of inclusive and sustainable growth.”
He reiterated that his administration remains unwavering in its commitment to completing legacy projects, scaling up ongoing interventions, and championing new initiatives that stimulate enterprise, create employment, and strengthen local economies.
He further stressed that prudent resource utilization and institutional transparency would form the backbone of the budget’s execution.
He said that the budget assumes an oil production projection of 1.6 million barrels per day, with a benchmark oil price of $68 per barrel and an exchange rate of N1,440 per US dollar.
Key allocations, according to the Governor include, recurrent expenditure of N312.69 billion (35%), Capital expenditure of N567.47 billion (65%), Personnel cost of N106.84 billion and overhead cost amounting to N204.94 billion while economic sector got N435.52 billion (49.6%)
The Governor stated that Social Sector will gulp N310.43 billion (34.4%), adding that the 2026 budget is 41.07% higher than the 2025 budget, with revenue projections based on reforms and anticipated tax increases.
Responding, the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Honorable Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, commended the mutual working relationship between the assembly and the Bauchi state executive in the last six years has been guided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the mutual relationship has ensured transparency and prudent management of the state resources which has yielded meaningful development for the people of Bauchi state.
While commending the Governor for the timely presentation of the budget, assured that the state assembly will thoroughly scrutinize, deliberate and refine the content of the budget through the assembly’s relevant standing and sectoral committees.
Abubakar Y Suleiman, praised the coherence and ambition of the proposal, assuring the Executive of a diligent legislative review to ensure the budget’s successful passage.
Other stakeholders across various sectors also expressed optimism that the fiscal plan rooted in community voice and strategic foresight would catalyze accelerated development and enhance the quality of governance in Bauchi State.
They expressed confidence that the 2026 “Budget of Hope and Consultation” would accelerate development and improve service delivery across Bauchi State.
The presentation drew a distinguished audience comprising members of the legislature, senior government officials, traditional authorities, civil society representatives, and international development partners, highlighting the growing confidence in Bauchi’s reform trajectory
It marked another step in the administration’s effort to build a more prosperous, inclusive, and forward-looking Bauchi.
With the formal presentation now concluded, the 2026 Appropriation Bill moves into the legislative phase, marking a crucial milestone in the state government’s quest to build a more progressive, accountable, and future-oriented Bauchi.
