By Our Reporter

Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, on Wednesday presented a N517.54 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Strategic Consolidation” aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, strengthening human capital, and expanding economic opportunities.

Presenting his seventh budget since assuming office, Governor Sule said the proposal reflects his administration’s commitment to transparency, fiscal prudence, and continuity of major development projects across the state.

The budget allocates N304.75 billion (58.88%) to capital expenditure and N212.79 billion (41.12%) to recurrent costs, continuing the administration’s heavy investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

Key sectoral allocations include:

Infrastructure – N157.8bn (30.49%)

Governance & Security – N142.96bn (27.62%)

Education – N92.91bn (17.95%)

Health – N37.19bn (7.19%)

Agriculture & Water Resources – N31.85bn (6.15%)

Governor Sule said the spending priorities were designed to consolidate ongoing road construction, urban renewal initiatives, healthcare upgrades, and agricultural expansion.

Reviewing the 2025 fiscal year, he disclosed that the state generated N235.05 billion as of October 2025—representing 61% of projected revenue—while total expenditure reached N226.36 billion.

He highlighted strong improvements in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), increased federal allocations, and robust capital investment, which he described as “the highest capital performance since the creation of the state.”

The Governor reported progress in road infrastructure, noting the completion of approximately 639km of roads, ongoing flyover and underpass construction in Keffi and Akwanga, and near-completion of modern markets across several LGAs.

Governor Sule emphasized achievements in education, including recruitment of teachers and accreditation gains in tertiary institutions. He also highlighted expansion in healthcare delivery, with new specialist and general hospital upgrades, ongoing health worker recruitment, and the scaling of the state health insurance scheme.

On agriculture, he announced the cultivation of 3,300 hectares out of a 10,000-hectare agriculture development project and the procurement of new tractors and farm inputs, reaffirming the state’s food security agenda.

He also confirmed the continuation of the N10,000 monthly cash transfer scheme for vulnerable households.

The governor revealed the creation of several strategic agencies to modernize governance, including the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission, the State Fire & Rescue Service Agency, the Education Trust Fund, and the Institute of Leather & Science Technology, Doma, among others.

These institutions, he said, will improve service delivery, attract investment, and deepen economic reforms.

Governor Sule urged lawmakers to swiftly consider and pass the budget to enable timely implementation of programmes aimed at boosting economic growth and improving citizens’ welfare.