Governor Abdullahi Sule has presented the 2025 appropriation bill before the Nasarawa State House of Assembly estimated at N382, 567, 843, 592.03, with education taking the lionshare of N78.16bn representing 20.4 percent.

Governor Sule presented the appropriation bill tagged Budget of Economic Growth and Stability at the assembly complex in Lafia on Friday.

According to the Governor, the 2025 budget is geared towards consolidating his administration’s focus on improving education, expanding infrastructure, agriculture, health, security and technology subsectors.

He disclosed that the appropriation is made up of N159.97bn representing 41.82 percent as current expenditure and N222. 6bn representing 58.18 percent as capital expenditure, marking a significant landmark as the state looks towards improving on capital expenditure that has direct bearing in the lives of the citizenry.

According to him, infrastructure recieved the second largest share of N71.07bn representing 18.7 percent, while governance, security and general administration got N50.75bn representing 13.3 percent, and health received N36.20bn representing 9.5 percent.

Others are agriculture and water resources, N 36.07, representing 9.4 percent, environment, N27.02bn representing 7.1 percent, finance, investment and trade, N 26.11bn representing 6.8 percent, information and tourism, N 19.36bn representing 5.1 percent, law and justice, N10.61bn representing 2.8 percent, legislation, N10.03bn representing 2.6 percent, youth and sports development, N 9.77bn representing 2. 6 percent, and humanitarian and women empowerment, N6.4bn representing 1. 7 percent.

He gave the projected recurrent revenue at N222, 345, 233, 482. 97, with the capital development fund forming part of the deficit financing at N128, 984, 035, 531. 47.

The sectoral allocation in the 2025 budget showed that administration got N80.14bn, economy, N139.84bn, law and justice sector, N10.67bn, while the social sector got N151.97bn.

“The 2025 budget aims to continue on the path of recovery with a focus on improving education, expanding infrastructure, agriculture, health, security and technology subsectors,” he said.

Through these efforts, the Governor added, his administration aims to create a stable and dynamic economy that not only provides for the state’s current needs but also invests in youths through strong development programmes and innovative educational systems.

“Looking ahead to 2025, our focus will be on fostering modernized economy. This includes driving industrialization, expanding the manufacturing sector and empowering agriculture while leveraging on the state’s fertile land,” he stated.

The Governor commended the Speaker and members of the assembly for the synergy and collaboration paving the way for the lawmakers to give the desired attention to the appropriation bill.

“I therefore, commend the Rt. Hon. Speaker and Honourable Members of the House of Assembly for the prompt action you always displayed each time the State’s appropriation bill is presented before you for consideration.

“I appreciate this synergy and partnership in our collective commitment to provide purposeful leadership to the people of Nasarawa State,” he stated.

Commenting on the new national minimum wage, Governor Sule reiterated the commitment of his administration to implement the new policy.

“I am happy to inform you that Government is ready to implement the new minimum wage in order to meet up with the current economic reality.

He also acknowledged the listing of Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK) as the second best state-owned university and the 36th in Africa, a feat he said was achieved during the outgoing year after his administration repositioned the institution to meet global best practices.

“As I speak, Government is awaiting the submission of the Report of the Minimum Wage Committee under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, the Deputy Governor. I assure you that as soon as the report is submitted, Government will not waste time in the implementation of the recommendation of the Committee for the benefit of our workers,” he stated.

Receiving the 2025 appropriation bill, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, assured that the legislature would give the document the desired attention and to ensure the speedy passage of the bill.

The Speaker said the 7th Assembly under his watch, would give the executive arm of government all the needed support to enable the administration executes all its policies and programnes without hindrance.

Rt. Hon. Jatau commended Governor Sule for recording 65 percent performance for the 2024 budget.

“Records from the various outstanding committees show that the performance of the 2024 budget stands at over 65 percent. This I most confess, is quite commendable. These records showed that your administration has achieved giant strides in all critical areas of development. We must commend you for your efforts by putting the name of Nasarawa State boldly on the map of the world in terms of solid minerals exploration which has attracted investors into the state,” he said.

The Speaker however tasked Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the need to speed up efforts and to fully comply with the provisions of the budget.