Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, has presented ₦545bn 2025 budget to the State House of Assembly.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to adopting innovative financial management strategies.
Speaking on Thursday at the presentation of the proposed 2025 budget to the Assembly, Lawal emphasized the need for a results-driven approach.
The proposed budget, totaling ₦545,014,575,000.00 and tagged “Rescue Budget 2.0,” is designed to prioritize development across key sectors. A statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, highlighted that, for the first time in the state’s history, the Ministry of Health is allocated 11% of the total budget, equating to ₦62,124,702,980.
Education takes a significant share, with 14% (₦79,664,861,461), while infrastructure is allocated 19%, amounting to ₦108,813,735,000. The budget also earmarks 6% each for security and agriculture, translating to ₦32,288,700,000 and ₦34,716,180,000, respectively.
Lawal described the budget as a strategic blueprint for addressing Zamfara’s pressing needs, stating, “It is a vision for the future of Zamfara. It is also a testament to our resolve to transform challenges into opportunities and deliver a more prosperous, secure state for our people.”
He further highlighted a remarkable 240.44% growth in internally generated revenue over the past 18 months, which has moved Zamfara from 36th to 26th in Nigeria’s revenue rankings.
The governor attributed this success to aggressive revenue collection efforts and strategic measures to curb leakages, “We have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to financial sustainability through enhanced accountability, improved collection systems, and the expansion of revenue sources.”
Despite these gains, Lawal acknowledged the need for continued efforts to boost revenue generation, “While this achievement is commendable, it is crucial to note that the increase is in relative terms rather than absolute. We will ensure revenue-generating MDAs redouble their efforts by thoroughly exploring all potential sources and maximizing opportunities.”
He also spotlighted transformative projects aimed at strengthening the state’s financial standing, citing the ongoing construction of Gusau International Airport as a key initiative aligned with his administration’s strategic vision.
The governor emphasized the government’s focus on critical sectors, including roads, healthcare, education, agriculture, and rural development, “We are advancing critical infrastructure projects in roads, healthcare, agriculture, rural development, and education. These initiatives are carefully designed to build a resilient economy capable of improving the livelihoods of our citizens.”
Public sector reforms, including the digitization of government services, have also been prioritized, “We have sustained the culture of reforms in the public sector, which we initiated shortly after assumption of office. These reforms aim to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure the effective utilization of public resources.”
Highlighting changes in budgeting processes, Lawal noted, “We have introduced performance-based budgeting and strengthened financial oversight mechanisms. Budgets are no longer annual rituals often not adhered to; instead, they are strategic tools for achieving developmental goals.”
The governor assured the Assembly that the proposed budget emphasizes capital expenditure, allocating ₦393,334,575,000.00 for developmental projects, while ₦151,680,000,000.00 is set aside for recurrent expenses, noting, “The 2025 budget proposal has been meticulously crafted to reflect our aspirations for a prosperous Zamfara State. Like the 2024 budget, it prioritizes capital expenditure over recurrent costs, ensures equitable resource distribution, and lays a solid foundation for sustainable development. With the collective efforts of all stakeholders, I am confident that we can overcome our challenges and achieve the transformative growth that Zamfara State deserves.”
