February 6, 2026 | News | SUNTV Global Channel
Fresh concerns have emerged over spending priorities in Borno State after lawmakers budgeted ₦1 billion for Independence Day and Democracy Day celebrations in the 2026 fiscal year, despite worsening insecurity, mass displacement, and deepening hunger across the state.
A SUNTV Global Channel review of the Borno State 2026 approved budget document shows that the allocation was made by the State House of Assembly, even as millions of residents continue to rely on humanitarian aid due to prolonged insurgency.
In the same budget, lawmakers approved ₦2 billion for the construction of a new main Assembly Complex and earmarked ₦200 million for the purchase of three 150KVA power generators.
This comes amid earlier revelations that the Borno State Government set aside ₦150 million to feed sheep and goats housed within the Government House.
The allocation, listed under Government House expenditure, is described as “General purchase of feeding for various sheep and goat within the Government House.”
A breakdown of the figures shows that the animals would consume feed worth an average of ₦410,958 daily, translating to about ₦2.8 million weekly.
In addition, the government plans to spend ₦50 million on kitchen equipment for use within the Government House.
Billions for Ex-Insurgents, Less for Hospitals
Further scrutiny of past budget performance documents has also raised questions about the state’s spending balance.
A 2025 full-year budget performance report revealed that the Borno State Government spent ₦4.3 billion on livelihood support for repentant Boko Haram members under the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme.
Of that amount, ₦1.6 billion was disbursed between October and December 2025 alone.
By contrast:
- The Borno State Primary Healthcare Development Board recorded a total capital expenditure of ₦2 billion for the entire 2025 fiscal year.
- The Borno State University Teaching Hospital had a capital allocation of ₦2.7 billion.
- The Hospital Management Board recorded ₦3.1 billion in capital spending.
All these figures were lower than the ₦4.3 billion spent on rehabilitating former insurgents.
An earlier budget review also showed that between January and September 2024, the state spent ₦3.45 billion on DDR-related livelihood support.
State Still Under Siege
Borno State continues to grapple with severe security challenges in early 2026. Insurgent attacks remain frequent, particularly in rural and border communities, fueling displacement, food shortages, and malnutrition.
While the Nigerian military has recorded recent successes, including the destruction of terrorist camps and the rescue of captives, humanitarian agencies warn that millions of residents remain in urgent need of assistance.
The latest budgetary revelations have sparked renewed debate over governance priorities at a time when many communities in the state are struggling to survive.
