The Gombe State Government says the 2026 budget will focus heavily on infrastructure, agriculture and key social services, as the administration works to consolidate ongoing development projects ahead of 2027.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Salihu Baba Alkali, stated this during the 2026 Budget Breakdown in Gombe.
He said the administration remained committed to completing all ongoing projects before the end of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s tenure.
Mr. Alkali disclosed that “the state’s Internally Generated Revenue had already met its annual target by October 2025, following reforms at the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service.
He noted that the service will be further strengthened to boost collections and reduce reliance on federal allocations.
Mr. Alkali also appealed to residents to pay their taxes promptly to support government programmes.
Priority Sectors
According to the Commissioner, “agriculture, education, health, water resources and the environment constitute major priority areas in the 2026 proposal.”
He described infrastructure as the foundation for progress across all sectors.
“Healthcare cannot function without accessible roads, and farmers cannot move produce to markets without motorable routes,” he said, stressing that the improved road network has contributed to fewer road crashes in recent years.
Agriculture and Economic Development
Mr. Alkali said “agriculture remains central to the state’s economy. The 2026 budget allocates increased funding to support smallholder farmers and expand agricultural businesses.”
Key agriculture projects include ‘the construction of an ultra-modern abattoir, rehabilitation of earth dams and the development of a new livestock market.’
He said that the Ministry of Trade and Industry would continue work on the International Grains Market and the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.
Infrastructure Development
Major infrastructure items captured in the budget include; ‘the continued development of the Gombe Special Capital Development Zone, the construction of the Gombe Northern Bypass, a modern fire service station in the Shehu Abubakar District and ongoing urban renewal projects.
Water, Environment and Forestry
The budget also captures the Gombe Urban and Regional Waterways Project at Dadin Kowa, solar-powered water installations, the continuation of the 26-kilometre Doma Gully erosion control project and expanded environmental sanitation programmes.
Education and Social Services
In the education sector, the government plans to modernise and upgrade five mega schools and continue funding WAEC and NECO examinations for students in public schools.
Higher education priorities include; establishing a Faculty of Agriculture at the Gombe State University Malam Sidi Campus, strengthening state-owned tertiary institutions and improving infrastructure across campuses.
Health Sector
The 2026 budget provides for the recruitment of additional health workers, procurement of essential supplies for malnourished children, the purchase of hospital consumables and the training of health personnel.
Youth and Sports Development
Mr. Alkali said youth programmes would focus on strengthening the G-CARES initiative and recruiting additional personnel into the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC).
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to accountability, efficiency and the completion of all ongoing projects.
Financial Outlook
The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Jallo Ibrahim Mohammed, said; “₦27 billion had already been spent on the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, where six companies are operational.”
He expressed confidence that more investors would come in as the project expands.
The Director-General of the Debt Management Office, Mr. Kabir Tsoho, said debt servicing for the coming year is projected at ₦22 billion, down from ₦23 billion last year.
Tsoho noted that “the state has no plans for local borrowing in 2026 and does not intend to leave a debt burden for the incoming administration in 2027.”
He added that expected inflows from development partners such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank would support the financing of the 2026 budget deficit.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had last week presented a ₦535.7 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Gombe State House of Assembly, describing it as a Budget of Consolidation aimed at sustaining development momentum in the state.