Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Tuesday signed the N515.5 billion 2026 Appropriation and Finance Bills into law, setting the fiscal framework for economic growth, infrastructure development, and prudent financial management.
The 2026 budget comes amid growing development demands, rising unemployment, and persistent infrastructure gaps that continue to affect service delivery across the state.
Governor Buni said the budget, tagged “Budget of Economic Growth and Infrastructural Transformation,” is aimed at consolidating ongoing reforms in critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, and job creation.
He explained that the spending plan is designed to improve living standards while sustaining the developmental gains recorded by his administration over the past six years.
The governor commended members of the Yobe State House of Assembly for what he described as their commitment to the public interest, noting that the passage of the budget provides the legal framework for implementing policies and programmes that directly benefit citizens.
Governor Buni disclosed that the legislature reviewed and adjusted the budget from N515.583 billion to N515.532 billion, resulting in a slight reduction in capital expenditure and a marginal increase in recurrent spending.
According to him, N291.9 billion, representing 62 per cent of the budget, is allocated to capital projects, while N223.6 billion, or 38 per cent, is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.
He assured that the implementation of the 2026 budget would be guided by the principles of accountability, transparency, probity, and strict adherence to due process.
“We will maintain our position as one of the leading states in fiscal transparency, accountability, and sustainability,” the governor said, citing independent assessments by SIFTAS and BudgIT.
Governor Buni added that the government would further strengthen financial controls to curb waste, reduce non-essential spending, and channel limited resources toward priority social and economic services.
He said the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, and the Ministry of Finance would provide policy direction and oversight to ensure effective monitoring and full implementation of the budget.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Ciroman Buba Mashio, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to maintaining a harmonious working relationship with the executive arm of government.
He noted that sustained cooperation between both arms is critical to ensuring that the 2026 budget delivers tangible and measurable benefits to the people of Yobe State.
