Education gets 26.14% in Sani’s N790b Kaduna budget proposal

The Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani, has presented a budget proposal of N790 billion for the year 2025, prioritising critical sectors such as infrastructure, human capital development, security, and agriculture in the state.

While presenting the draft budget at the Kaduna State House of Assembly on Monday, the governor stated that his administration adopted a conservative but strategic approach to resource allocation, considering the prevailing financial headwinds.

The governor said that the 2025 budget allocated N553 billion for capital expenditure and N237 billion for recurrent expenditure.

According to him, the capital allocation reflects our continued focus on infrastructure, with particular emphasis on rural roads, healthcare facilities, education infrastructure, and housing projects.

He added, “We have deliberately focused on projects that will have a lasting impact on the economic well-being of our citizens.”

Sani disclosed that N206.6 billion, representing 26.14% of the budget, was allocated to education.
“This will fund the construction of new schools, the rehabilitation of existing ones, the recruitment and capacity development of teachers, and the provision of learning materials,” he explained.

Additionally, the health sector received N127 billion, accounting for 16.07% of the budget. The governor noted that this amount would be used “to upgrade our healthcare facilities, procure medical equipment, and expand mobile healthcare services, ensuring no community is left behind in accessing quality healthcare.”

Infrastructure was allocated N106 billion, or 13.14% of the budget, with plans to complete ongoing road construction, rural electrification, water supply, and other critical public works across the state.

Furthermore, N74 billion, or 9.36% of the budget, was earmarked for agriculture. The governor pledged to invest in agricultural innovation, provide support for smallholder farmers, promote agro-processing, and expand irrigation projects.

Sani allocated N11.2 billion for security to enhance the capacity of state security agencies, purchase equipment, and support community policing efforts.

Social welfare received N9.8 billion, representing 1.24% of the budget, to expand social safety nets, including support for the elderly, women, and children, under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, alongside other interventions by the newly created Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The governor described the draft budget as a bold commitment to Kaduna State’s future, emphasizing inclusive development, job creation, improved infrastructure, and investments in the people of the state.

Sani noted, “The budget process has been consultative, engaging widely with the people of Kaduna State to ensure it reflects their aspirations, addresses their concerns, and lays a solid foundation for long-term development.”

He appreciated the legislators and stakeholders for their contributions and support, urging the House of Assembly to approve the budget, adding, “The 2025 fiscal year will be a year of transformation, and with your cooperation, we shall continue to make Kaduna State a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

The governor also highlighted his administration’s achievements in 2024, including improved security, infrastructure upgrades, housing development, trade and investment, agriculture, human capital development, health, and social welfare.

On safety and security, he stated that the government had recruited and trained 7,000 personnel for the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS) and distributed 150 Hilux security vehicles and 500 patrol motorcycles to security operatives in the state.

“We constructed the maiden Kaduna State Forensic Laboratory and Training Center,” he added.
Sani disclosed that significant milestones had been achieved in conflict-affected areas, including Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Kachia, Kajuru, and Kagarko Local Government Areas, with peace returning to Birnin Gwari.

He further revealed that the state partnered with local and international investors to reduce the housing deficit, developed 300 housing units at Millennium City, Kaduna, and nearly completed the first phase of mass housing for the less privileged at Kaduna Economic City, in partnership with Qatar Charity.

The governor announced that the administration attracted over $503 million in investments, including four Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs). Among these were the construction of a $50 million Soya Bean Oil Refining Plant by Sunagrow International Oil Ltd, the Kaduna Agri-Market System Initiative by StarAgric West Africa Ltd, the Qatar Sanabil Kaduna Economic City Project, and the Ming Xing Lithium Processing Plant.

He concluded by mentioning the support extended to 8,649 nano and micro businesses, women empowerment initiatives, palliative distributions, and social welfare programmes aimed at uplifting the poor and vulnerable in the state.