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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has presented a N584.76 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year with health, education and economic development taking top priority.
Gov Zulum, while presenting the budget as a financial appropriation bill to the House of Assembly yesterday in Maiduguri, said it was meant to consolidate and accelerate the development of the state that has just come out of a devastating flood after over a decade of insurgency.
Tagged, “Budget of Recovery and Continuity,” Zulum said the proposal comprised N323.47 billion for capital expenditure and N204.71 billion for recurrent expenditure.
“The 2025 budget totalling N584.76 billion aims at consolidating the state’s developmental strides,” Zulum told the 28-member legislative House and the government officials at the presentation.
He said the budget comprised capital expenditure of N380.84 billion and recurrent spending estimated at N203.92 billion.
According to the governor, the budget would be financed through the revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) estimated at N311.70 billion.
Other sources include the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N30.09 billion, and capital receipts of N237.96 billion, including aid, grants, and a capital development fund.
Health sector is allocated N89.97 billion, which is 15.39 percent of the total budget size for building of new hospitals and rehabilitation of the old ones, among others.
Education is allocated N69.81 billion with a promise to invest in primary and secondary education, as well as other sectors.
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“In the next fiscal year, the government will invest in programmes aimed at stimulating local economic activities, supporting small businesses and attracting investment,” he pledged.
He said the state plans to invest heavily in agriculture to enhance food security and job creation through provisions for irrigation systems, fertilisers, and the cultivation of over 100,000 hectares of farmland. He said the government would rehabilitate the College of Agriculture, which was damaged by floods, and upgrade facilities at Ramat Polytechnic and the College of Education, Waka-Biu.
“These investments will empower our farmers and ensure food sufficiency for the state.
“To address perennial water scarcity, the government has set aside N11.6 billion for water resources,” he said.
According to him, key projects include the construction of seven additional waterworks, 50 hybrid boreholes, 2,000 wells, and 1,789 solar-powered irrigation pumps.
He said the second phase of the Bulabulin Water Treatment Plant and the upgrade of the Maiduguri water facility would also commence.
“In rural areas, these initiatives will support farmers and ensure access to clean water,” he added.
He said the budget also prioritised rural development, with plans to construct roads, markets, and other facilities to boost local economies and improve livelihoods.
He called on stakeholders to support the government’s efforts at ensuring successful implementation of the budget and rebuilding the state.
