Gains in GombeYahaya Sets Bold Agenda with ₦535.6bn Budget to Deepen Development in Gombe
Gains in GombeYahaya Sets Bold Agenda with ₦535.6bn Budget to Deepen Development in Gombe
By Auwal Umar, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday presented a ₦535.6 billion appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year before the State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Consolidation” crafted to sustain the state’s impressive growth record and strengthen ongoing development strides across all sectors.
Governor Yahaya said the proposed budget is firmly anchored on the Development Agenda for Gombe State (DEVAGOM), designed to consolidate six years of progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial expansion. Of the total estimate, ₦164.25 billion (30.66%) is set aside for recurrent expenditure, while ₦371.44 billion (69.34%) will go into capital projects.
He emphasized that the budget reflects his administration’s continued commitment to sustainability, inclusiveness, and equitable growth, noting that it aims to unlock Gombe’s full economic potential and foster shared prosperity.
Reviewing the 2025 fiscal performance, Yahaya disclosed that the approved ₦369.9 billion budget was revised upward to ₦451.6 billion after a supplementary appropriation, following higher-than-expected revenue performance. By September 2025, the state had realized ₦336.48 billion in recurrent revenue, 126% of its projections, with an overall budget performance of 60.12%. The governor said this strong performance underscores prudent fiscal management and effective resource utilization, which have translated into visible improvements across key sectors.
Yahaya expressed optimism that Nigeria’s economy is gradually stabilizing under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, commending the administration for policies that are improving the naira’s stability, reducing inflation, and boosting government revenues. He said the reforms have created the foundation for sustained growth, from which Gombe stands to benefit immensely.
Highlighting the state’s achievements, Yahaya said his administration has delivered over 1,000 kilometres of roads under the Network 11-100 project, while major urban roads are now lit with solar-powered streetlights. Signature projects such as the City Centre Underpass and the Northern Bypass have transformed Gombe’s urban outlook. He added that the 40MW Dadin Kowa hydropower project and the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park have positioned the state as a rising industrial hub. Ongoing energy projects include the 0.62MW Balanga hydropower initiative in collaboration with UNIDO and the EU, a 1MW solar mini-grid in Talasse, and a 7.5MVA injection substation at the industrial park. The governor also announced new partnerships with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to deliver 22 additional solar mini-grids across rural communities.
In the education sector, Yahaya said over 1,800 classrooms have been built across 450 schools, while 1,000 teachers were recruited to strengthen the system. Five legacy schools have been upgraded into mega colleges, and integrated Almajiri centres established in all local government areas. He disclosed that over 450,000 out-of-school children have been reintegrated into formal education through the State Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Commission. At the tertiary level, the administration completed the Dukku Campus of Gombe State University, established a new Faculty of Agriculture in Mallam Sidi, and doubled funding for tertiary education and student scholarships. The state also secured NUC approval for Lincoln University Kumo, focusing on medical and health sciences through a public-private partnership.
Governor Yahaya highlighted the construction of two functional PHCs in each of the 114 wards, upgrading of the State Specialist Hospital, and rehabilitation of Kaltungo and Bajoga General Hospitals. He announced that the new Kumo General Hospital has been upgraded to a Federal Medical Centre. Under the Go-Health Insurance Scheme, over 380,000 residents, including 100,000 vulnerable persons, have been enrolled. The state also implemented the CONMESS/CONHESS salary structure to improve welfare and retention of healthcare workers.
Yahaya said his government continues to support farmers with subsidized inputs for wet and dry season farming. The newly established 180-hectare Agro-Livestock Development Zone with an international livestock market, modern abattoir, and inland dry port is expected to make Gombe a leading agro-processing centre in the Northeast. He noted that the Gombe Regional Water Supply Scheme has been expanded, and 1,400 boreholes rehabilitated or newly constructed. The state also intensified efforts to combat erosion and flooding through major gully reclamation projects.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that Gombe is among the first states to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage and has cleared over ₦33.83 billion in gratuity arrears. He said the Three Arms Zone project, housing the new State Secretariat, High Court, and Assembly Complex, symbolizes his administration’s commitment to institutional development and public service efficiency.
The 2026 budget allocates ₦269.54 billion to the economic sector, ₦80.09 billion to social services, ₦19.63 billion to general administration, and ₦2.17 billion to law and justice. Key sectoral allocations include ₦135.93 billion for works, housing, and transport; ₦88.41 billion for water, environment, and forestry; ₦31.95 billion for education; ₦25.92 billion for health; and ₦20.57 billion for agriculture. The state expects ₦416.1 billion in recurrent revenue and ₦225.57 billion in capital receipts, with an opening balance of ₦100 billion from the 2025 fiscal year.
As his administration enters its final phase, Yahaya pledged to sustain the momentum of progress, stating: “From the ruins of inherited challenges, we have raised Gombe State to a model of governance that other states now emulate.” He urged lawmakers to critically review and strengthen the 2026 budget to ensure it mirrors the aspirations of Gombe’s citizens.
Responding, Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Luggerewo, commended the governor for prioritizing people-oriented policies and maintaining transparency in governance. He assured of the Assembly’s swift passage of the budget to ensure continuity of developmental projects. He lauded the 2025 budget performance, citing significant achievements in education, health, water supply, infrastructure, and urban renewal as proof of the administration’s effective leadership.
