Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has presented a ₦535.7 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the Gombe State House of Assembly.
Governor Yahaya described it as a “Budget of Consolidation.”
He said “the budget aimed at sustaining the state’s development momentum and entrenching a legacy of impactful governance.”
Addressing lawmakers during the presentation, Governor Yahaya said “the 2026 budget was strategically aligned with the state’s Development Agenda for Gombe (DEVAGOM) and designed to promote sustainability, equity, and inclusive growth.”
He said; “This budget prioritises the pressing needs of our people while firmly anchoring our development trajectory on the pillars of sustainability, equity, and inclusive growth.
“It reflects our commitment to harnessing our tremendous potentials to propel Gombe State towards a more prosperous and secure future.”
Budget Breakdown
The Governor proposed a total budget size of ₦535,691,983,000, comprising ₦164.25 billion (30.66%) for recurrent expenditure and ₦371.44 billion (69.34%) for capital expenditure.
According to him, “the state expects to generate ₦416.1 billion in recurrent revenue, ₦225.57 billion in capital receipts, and carry over a closing balance of ₦100 billion from the 2025 fiscal year.”
The economic sector will receive the largest share of the capital vote at ₦269.54 billion, covering key ministries such as Works, Housing, and Transport (₦135.9 billion), Water Resources and Environment (₦88.4 billion), and Agriculture (₦20.6 billion). The social sector is allocated ₦80.1 billion, with Education receiving ₦31.95 billion, Higher Education ₦17.52 billion, and Health ₦25.92 billion.
Review of 2025 Performance
Governor Yahaya said that “the 2025 budget, initially pegged at ₦369.9 billion, was later reviewed upward to ₦451.7 billion following higher-than-expected revenue inflows. As of 30th September 2025, overall budget performance stood at 60.12%.”
He noted that recurrent revenue performance reached 126.54% of projections, prompting a supplementary budget, while capital expenditure performance was 59.89% during the same period.
Key Achievements
Highlighting major accomplishments since 2019, the Governor said his administration had transformed infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, and agriculture.
Under the Network 11-100 project, over 1,000 kilometres of road networks have been constructed, complemented by solar streetlighting and landmark projects such as the City Centre Underpass and Northern Bypass.
In the Education sector, the government built over 1,800 classrooms across 450 schools, recruited 1,000 teachers, established integrated Almajiri centres in all local government areas, and reduced the number of out-of-school children by over 450,000.
On Healthcare, Governor Yahaya cited the construction of two primary health centres in each of the 114 wards, upgrades to key hospitals, and the establishment of a 1,000-student-capacity College of Nursing and Midwifery. Through the state’s health insurance scheme, Go-Health, about 380,000 residents, including 100,000 vulnerable individuals, now enjoy access to affordable healthcare.
He also highlighted significant gains in the energy sector, including partnerships with UNIDO, the European Union, and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for multiple solar and hydropower projects, as well as the ongoing development of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park.
In agriculture, the state is developing a 180-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which will host an international livestock and produce market, a modern abattoir, and an inland dry port.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that Gombe was among the first states to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage and had cleared ₦33.83 billion in gratuity arrears.
Economic Outlook
Governor Yahaya expressed optimism about Nigeria’s economic trajectory, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms on fuel subsidy removal and forex liberalisation, which he said were “now yielding tangible results.
“We are witnessing a remarkable stabilisation of the Naira, a steady decline in inflation, and increased inflows from the Federation Account. As the economic tide turns, we foresee a period of accelerated growth and prosperity for both Gombe State and Nigeria,” Governor Yahaya said.
A Call for Legislative Support
As his administration enters its final phase, the Governor urged the Assembly to give the proposal prompt and detailed scrutiny.
“We are not slowing down; we are doubling up. This Budget of Consolidation is designed to institutionalise our gains and ensure that the progress we have made remains steady and irreversible,” Governor Yahaya said.
The 2026 fiscal plan represents a blueprint for sustained growth and lasting prosperity across all sectors of Gombe State.