By Mukhtar Maikudi
On December 1, 2025, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State unveiled a transformative N985.9 billion budget for 2026 before the State House of Assembly. Dubbed a “people-centred financial plan,” this appropriation bill represents more than a fiscal blueprint; it embodies a commitment to consolidating reforms in critical areas such as security, infrastructure, education, and rural development.
In his address, Governor Uba Sani emphasized that the budget transcends mere constitutional duty, framing it as a “solemn civic engagement” rooted in transparency, equity, and the welfare of Kaduna’s citizens. This approach signals a shift toward governance that prioritizes the voices of the marginalized, ensuring that development is not imposed from above but co-created with the people.
The genesis of the 2026 budget lies in one of the most extensive consultation processes in Kaduna’s history. Governor Uba Sani highlighted how inputs were gathered from a diverse array of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s groups, youth associations, academia, business leaders, and vulnerable populations across all local governments. Farmers, traders, teachers, artisans, persons with disabilities, and widows played pivotal roles in shaping the document. This participatory model strengthens accountability and ensures that the budget addresses real-world needs, fostering a sense of ownership among citizens. By integrating these grassroots perspectives, the administration has elevated budgeting from an elite exercise to a democratic tool for empowerment.
Reflecting on the outgoing 2025 fiscal year, Governor Uba Sani painted a picture of “remarkable achievements and resilient advancement” amid formidable challenges. Economic pressures, volatile federal allocations, and persistent security threats tested the state’s resolve, yet Kaduna emerged stronger. This resilience forms the foundation for the 2026 projections, which build on ongoing initiatives to propel the state toward sustainable progress. The governor’s review underscores a narrative of perseverance, where setbacks in areas like security were met with innovative responses, ultimately yielding tangible gains for residents.
At its core, the N985.9 billion budget is structured to prioritize development, with N734.2 billion allocated to recurrent revenue and N251.6 billion to capital receipts. Notably, capital expenditure accounts for a commanding 71% of the total, underscoring the administration’s focus on long-term investments over operational costs.
This allocation strategy aligns with Kaduna’s broader transformation agenda, channeling resources into sectors that drive economic growth and human capital development. Education and infrastructure each receive 25% of the budget, health 15%, agriculture 11%, security 6%, social development 5%, governance 5%, and environment and climate action 4%. Such a balanced distribution reflects a holistic vision, where no single area dominates, but all contribute to a cohesive strategy for state-wide advancement.
A standout feature of the budget is the continuation of the Ward Development Committees(WDC) initiative, which allocates N100 million to each of Kaduna’s 255 wards for community-identified projects. Governor Uba Sani described this as one of Nigeria’s largest grassroots budgeting models, empowering local populations to address their unique priorities. This decentralized approach not only democratizes resource allocation but also ensures that development reaches the farthest corners of the state, bridging the urban-rural divide and promoting equity.
Security remains a cornerstone of Governor Uba Sani’s agenda, given Kaduna’s history of banditry, kidnappings, and communal conflicts. The 2026 budget dedicates 6% to bolstering defenses, building on the successes of the Kaduna Peace Model. This framework has facilitated reconciliation in conflict-torn communities, reopened farmlands, and restored schools previously shuttered due to insecurity. Enhanced collaboration with federal security agencies has improved operational efficiency, restoring confidence and enabling economic activities to resume in affected areas. By addressing root causes through community engagement and targeted interventions, the administration aims to create a safer environment that supports broader development goals.
Notably, infrastructure development receives equal prominence with 25% of the budget earmarked for projects that enhance connectivity and economic vitality. Governor Uba Sani, while presenting the budget, reported ongoing execution of 140 road projects spanning 1,335 kilometers of which 64 have already been completed. These roads have unlocked new economic corridors, linking isolated communities to markets and services.
The introduction of the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) system marks a milestone as the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, featuring compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered buses, digital ticketing, and a 24-kilometer dedicated corridor. Complementing this is the Interstate Bus Terminal in Kakuri, now 75% complete, which promises to streamline intercity travel and reduce congestion.
Further innovations in transportation include the Kaduna Light Rail Project, with Phase I focusing on the Rigachikun–Sabon Tasha corridor and Phase II extending to Millennium City and Rigasa. Major bus parks are under construction statewide, while a subsidized transport scheme has already delivered over N500 million in savings through free and discounted rides. These initiatives not only improve mobility but also stimulate commerce, job creation, and urban efficiency, positioning Kaduna as a modern hub in the region.
Rural revitalization is another key pillar, with efforts to reclaim over 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmlands through improved feeder roads, markets, and extension services. This focus aims to boost food production and empower agrarian communities, which form the backbone of Kaduna’s economy. By restoring these vital assets, the budget seeks to enhance agricultural productivity and reduce dependency on urban centers, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience against economic shocks.
Education, allocated 25% of the budget, is positioned as the “cornerstone” of Kaduna’s development. In 2025, the administration reopened 535 schools, bringing over 300,000 out-of-school children back to classrooms, and reduced tertiary fees by 40% to improve access. Investments include the construction of 736 new classrooms, renovation of 1,220 existing ones, provision of boreholes, toilets, and furniture, and training for more than 33,000 teachers. The establishment of bilingual schools and vocational hubs further enriches the educational landscape, equipping students with skills for a global economy. These measures address long-standing gaps, ensuring that education serves as a ladder for social mobility and economic empowerment.
Health sector reforms backed by 15% of the budget, demonstrate a commitment to comprehensive healthcare. All 255 Primary Healthcare Centres have been upgraded to Level 2 status, while 15 General Hospitals have been renovated, five completed, and the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital commissioned. The implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) has boosted the morale of health workers. Additional enhancements include strengthened emergency services, an oxygen plant, an improved medical warehouse, and N1 billion allocated for insuring vulnerable households. These upgrades aim to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and responsive, particularly, for underserved populations.
Vocational training and skills development receive targeted support, with the new Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun and its satellite campuses. Partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft and Google are expanding digital literacy, while the remodeling of Panteka Market supports over 38,000 artisans.
In agriculture, investments have surged from N1.4 billion in 2023 to N74.2 billion in 2025, enabling the distribution of over 900 trucks of free fertilizer, alongside advancements in irrigation, mechanization, livestock vaccines, and seed improvement. The $510 million African Development Bank-supported Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone is poised to transform Kaduna into an agro-industrial powerhouse, complemented by the African Quality Assurance Centre to facilitate exports.
The presentation was concluded by Governor Uba Sani by urging lawmakers to expedite the budget’s consideration, framing it as a symbol of “renewal, resilience, and a far-reaching vision” to touch every home, ward, and local government.
In response, Speaker Hon. Yusuf Liman praised the proposal as “ambitious, comprehensive, and aligned with the state’s development priorities.” He highlighted its emphasis on rural infrastructure, human capital, and balanced growth, commending the governor for involving legislators in constituency projects—a first in Kaduna’s history—and respecting legislative independence. Liman assured a thorough, transparent review and close collaboration for swift passage, underscoring the synergy between branches of government.
Already, the public hearing on the budget has been done and the defense by all ministries and agencies concluded around mid-Decembber, 2025 and waiting for the governor’s assent. The 2026 budget for Kaduna State under Governor Uba Sani, in essence, can be described as a bold manifesto for inclusive progress. By weaving together participatory governance, strategic investments, and a focus on human-centered development, it charts a path toward a more secured, prosperous, and equitable state. Hopefully, as implementation of the budget begins after the signing into law by Governor Uba Sani, the true measure of success will lie in translating these allocations into lived improvements for Kaduna residents, ensuring that the promise of renewal becomes a reality for all.
•Maikudi, an economic and financial analyst, writes from Kaduna
