By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
Bauchi State is set to begin the 2026 fiscal year with a renewed focus on service delivery and consolidation of development gains following Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed’s assent to the N877 billion Appropriation Law.
The signing, which took place at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Bauchi, formally authorises spending for the year beginning January 1, 2026, and clears the way for Ministries, Departments and Agencies to commence full implementation.
Governor Mohammed explained that the budget underwent detailed scrutiny by the Bauchi State House of Assembly, resulting in a modest reduction of about N1.1 billion from the original N878.15 billion proposal submitted on November 27, 2025.
He noted that the adjustment did not affect allocations for capital projects.
Describing the legislative process as objective and collaborative, the governor commended lawmakers across party lines for prioritising public interest over political considerations.
The 2026 fiscal plan, themed “Budget of Consolidation and Sustainability,” is designed to strengthen reforms and projects executed over the past six years.
Mohammed disclosed that the 2025 budget recorded about 79 per cent implementation, a performance he described as encouraging. According to him, priority sectors in the new budget include infrastructure development, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, security and social services aimed at improving the welfare of residents.
The governor noted that the 2026 Appropriation Law represents the final full-cycle budget of his administration and directed all MDAs to ensure strict adherence to timelines and expenditure guidelines to achieve intended outcomes.
Earlier, Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, said the budget emerged from extensive consultations, including stakeholder engagements and budget defence sessions, which ensured transparency and accountability in the process.
He added that the Assembly remains committed to oversight to guarantee effective implementation of the approved budget. NNL.