Gov Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State presented a N526.88bn budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly on Friday, November 29.
The governor described the proposed budget as the “Transformational and Infrastructural Budget,” emphasising its focus on long-term development.
The budget is divided into N176.3bn for recurrent expenditure and N349.4bn for capital projects.
The capital expenditure constitutes 66% of the total budget, highlighting the administration’s commitment to infrastructural development.
Aliyu further revealed that the education sector would receive the highest allocation, with approximately 25% of the total budget earmarked for it, followed by health, agriculture, and work.
While presenting the budget, the governor explained that 44% of the budget would cover recurrent costs, including the new minimum wage of N70,000 for state workers, pension payments, and other government overheads.
He assured the state’s civil servants of the new wage implementation beginning in January 2025, acknowledging their continued support for the administration.
“I am delighted to announce that we will implement the new minimum wage of N70,000 from January 2025,” Aliyu said,
He also emphasised that his administration has not borrowed funds from financial institutions to finance any projects.
“To date, we are not owing any contractor in the state,” he added.
Reflecting on the 2024 budget, the governor acknowledged ongoing security challenges in certain local government areas, despite significant achievements in other sectors.
He assured the Assembly and the people of Sokoto State that his administration remains committed to fostering economic growth and addressing security concerns.
The governor emphasised the importance of synergy between the state’s security forces, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other key stakeholders to tackle the security issues hindering development.
