Borno acting governor signs ₦892.4bn 2026 budget into law

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Acting Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur, has signed into law the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦892.4 billion.

The budget, which was originally presented to the Borno State House of Assembly by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on 29 December 2025, was reviewed and adjusted upwards by the legislature, with increased allocations to the health and education sectors.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Kadafur commended the Assembly for its commitment to transparency and the public interest, describing the review process as thorough and reflective of prevailing economic realities and fiscal pressures.

He said the signing marked the administration’s financial roadmap for 2026, noting that it demonstrated a collective sense of responsibility and urgency in providing a credible and sustainable fiscal structure for governance in the state.

According to him, the budget increase of ₦2.37 billion was directed at critical sectors, including ₦1.774 billion allocated to the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and ₦400 million to the College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, explained that the upward review followed submissions and justifications from ministries, departments and agencies, with particular attention given to sectors with direct social impact.

In addition to assenting to the appropriation law, the Acting Governor also signed into law the Local Government Amendment Law 2000, which extends the tenure of local government chairmen and councillors from two to three years. The amendment, he said, is aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving service delivery at the local level.

The ceremony was attended by key government officials, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, the Head of Service, the Acting Chief of Staff, commissioners and special advisers.

Kadafur assured the Assembly and residents of Borno State of the administration’s commitment to prudent budget implementation, accountability and ensuring value for money in public expenditure.