Kaduna State has been recognised among a select group of States across the country making measurable progress in local government budget transparency, according to a new report by BudgIT.

Specifically, the report, titled “The Missing Tier: Mapping Local Government Budget Transparency in Nigeria,” identified Kaduna as one of among 10 states where Local Government Area (LGA) budget data is publicly accessible, signalling sustained efforts to deepen openness and accountability at the grassroots level.

Reacting to the report, the  Commissioner of Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, described the recognition as a validation of Governor Uba Sani’s governance approach.

“This report affirms the Governor’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability across all tiers of government. By ensuring that local government finances are more visible and accessible, we are strengthening public trust and empowering citizens to actively engage in governance,” he said.

He added that “the administration’s support for functional local government autonomy is deliberate, aimed at bringing governance closer to the people and improving service delivery”.

Besides, BudgIT noted that Kaduna provides medium-term consolidated LGA budget information, enabling citizens and stakeholders to better understand how resources are planned and allocated across local governments, pointing out that “this positions the state within a small but significant group advancing transparency reforms, even as broader challenges persist nationwide.”

Across the country, the report presented a mixed outlook. While a few states have made commendable strides, many still lag behind, with limited public access to LGA budget documents—undermining accountability at the grassroots level.

The organisation emphasised that improved access to budget data is essential for enhancing public understanding of government priorities, strengthening oversight, and building trust between citizens and institutions.

It added, ” Kaduna’s inclusion, therefore, reflects ongoing reforms aligned with the principles of open governance.”

While acknowledging the progress, BudgIT underscored “the need for greater consistency, depth, and timeliness in publishing budget data across all states”, just as  It maintained that “meaningful transparency at the local level is achievable with sustained political will”.

Meanwhile, Kaduna’s recognition in the report thus represented a significant step forward, while reinforcing the imperative to consolidate gains and deepen transparency and accountability across all local governments.