Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, sealing what officials describe as the most transparent and community-driven budget cycle in the state’s history.
The signing, which took place at Government House on Wednesday, followed what has been widely regarded as a record-setting legislative process. Katsina became the first sub-national government in Nigeria to submit its 2026 budget proposal when Governor Radda laid the document before the House of Assembly on 4 November 2025. Lawmakers concluded all legislative work within 21 working days, passing the bill on 25 November.
The 2026 Appropriation Act stands at ₦897,865,078,282.05, featuring the state’s lowest-ever recurrent expenditure at 18 percent and its highest capital allocation at 81 percent. Governor Radda said the structure surpasses benchmarks established under the fiscal reform era of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who once capped recurrent spending at 30 percent.
“This is the budget of the people, shaped by the people, and delivered for the people,” he said.
Governor Radda said the budget was produced through extensive grassroots consultation across all 361 wards, with more than 78,000 citizens participating in town hall sessions. He noted that the broad engagement contributed to a smooth, controversy-free legislative process because priorities reflected the demands of communities.
He hinted that future budgets may involve consultations down to the polling-unit level to further deepen inclusion.
The Governor commended the Katsina State House of Assembly for what he described as “unprecedented commitment and patriotic service,” noting that members worked through holidays, held joint meetings—including sessions in Kano—and delivered the budget on schedule. He also praised the Judiciary for sustaining stability and maintaining synergy among the arms of government.
“The Assembly has passed more bills in the last two years than many legislatures nationwide,” he said.
On security, Governor Radda reported significant improvements across the state, citing briefings indicating days without major incidents. He said insurgency-related medical bills had dropped sharply from over ₦40 million monthly to under ₦2 million, while the number of families seeking government support after kidnappings or killings had also reduced.
“These improvements are the result of sustained intervention, community cooperation, and strategic security coordination,” he stated.
He added that a more peaceful environment has supported a bumper agricultural harvest, with farmers now leaving produce—such as beans, sorghum, and guinea corn—unguarded in open spaces, a practice considered impossible two years ago.
Governor Radda said the administration provided agricultural inputs down to all 6,652 polling units through community committees. This approach, he noted, ensured transparency and reduced complaints, allowing genuine farmers to benefit.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, presented the budget to the Governor. He said lawmakers scrutinised the document thoroughly and agreed to retain the original figure because it aligned with the state’s development priorities.
He congratulated the Governor for emerging the first in Nigeria to sign the 2026 budget.
The ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, and other key stakeholders.
