The Gombe State Executive Council (SEC) has approved the state’s 2026 draft budget for formal presentation to the State House of Assembly. The approval was granted during the council’s 50th meeting held at the Gombe Arena on Monday.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Alkali, said the ratification was done after thorough deliberations and in line with due process. He explained that the budget preparation followed a transparent and participatory process involving consultations with various stakeholders across the state.
According to Alkali, the government had earlier conducted a citizens’ engagement and consultation forum to gather the views and priorities of residents. These inputs, he said, were carefully reviewed and integrated into the 2026 fiscal plan to ensure that the budget truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people.
He stated, “Earlier this year, we carried out a citizens’ engagement consultation across different communities and sectors. The aim was to make sure that residents’ opinions were adequately captured in the budgeting process. Today, after detailed observations and discussions by council members, the draft 2026 budget was approved for onward transmission to the Gombe State House of Assembly. ”Alkali further disclosed that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is scheduled to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House on Thursday, where it will be subjected to legislative scrutiny and further breakdown.
Also addressing the press, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, revealed that his ministry presented a separate memo seeking approval for the creation of a Primary Healthcare Leadership Steering Committee across the 11 local government areas and 13 local council development areas in the state.Dahiru explained that the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to sustain and improve achievements recorded in the health sector.
He added that the committee would oversee effective leadership, supervision, and coordination of healthcare activities at the grassroots.He said, “The establishment of the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Steering Committee is aimed at strengthening monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms across the state. It will also boost our chances of recognition in national and international health performance challenges.”In recent years, Gombe State has gained commendation for adopting a more inclusive and participatory approach to budgeting, allowing citizens and civil society groups to contribute ideas that shape government spending priorities.
The state also introduced programme-based budgeting, which focuses on linking expenditures directly to developmental outcomes rather than just administrative costs.A look at previous budgets shows a steady increase in fiscal ambition.
In 2023, Gombe State’s budget was pegged at ₦176.55 billion, with ₦76.55 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦99.46 billion for capital projects. The 2024 budget rose significantly to ₦208.064 billion, allocating 58 percent for capital projects and 42 percent for recurrent expenses—an indication of the government’s commitment to infrastructure, education, health, and economic consolidation.
Observers believe that the 2026 budget will likely continue this upward trajectory, emphasizing infrastructure development, social welfare, youth empowerment, and rural transformation.Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration has consistently emphasized transparency, fiscal responsibility, and citizen participation as key pillars of governance. The Thursday presentation is expected to shed more light on the government’s priorities for 2026 and how it intends to consolidate on ongoing projects while tackling emerging challenges across sectors.
