Seeking to sharpen fiscal performance and meet pressing needs, the Sokoto State Executive Council has approved the reallocation of ₦38.8 billion within the 2025 budget. The adjustment, officials say, will not raise the total expenditure but instead redirect funds to critical areas where they are most needed.
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr. Abubakar Zayanna, said after the council meeting on Tuesday that the adjustment reflects a more “realistic and intentional” approach to public finance, aligning with both fiscal management rules and stakeholder demands.
He stressed that the budget size remains unchanged at ₦526.88 billion, but funds were shifted from dormant or underperforming allocations to critical sectors where resources are urgently required.
“All we did was move funds from one code to another,” Zayanna explained. “We reviewed non-discretionary capital receipts unlikely to materialise, cut the corresponding expenditure lines, and increased allocations in areas where revenues exceeded expectations. This adjustment will help us achieve 70 to 80 per cent performance before the end of the year.”
The commissioner added that the revision ensures every naira allocated serves the state effectively, preventing funds from sitting idle while pressing needs go unmet.
In addition to the budget realignment, the council approved reconstruction and rehabilitation works on Ali-Akilu Road and Abdullahi Podi Road. The projects are expected to ease flooding challenges, improve water flow, and provide lasting relief for communities hit by heavy rainfall.
According to a council statement, the interventions will mitigate further environmental and infrastructural damage.
The amended fiscal proposal will now be forwarded to the Sokoto State House of Assembly for consideration and approval, after which it will become enforceable.
