GOVERNOR UMARU BAGO PRESENTS 2025 PROPOSE BUDGET OF #1.55 TRILLION TO NIGER STATE ASSEMBLY
Details below
BUDGET PRESENTATION BY
FARMER MOHAMMED UMARU BAGO, THE GOVERNOR OF NIGER STATE, AT THE NIGER STATE HOUSE ASSEMBLY COMPLEX, MINNA; ON THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER, 2024
PROTOCOLS:
Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members,
My fellow citizens of Niger State.
2. I stand before you today with a profound sense of duty and commitment to present the 2025 budget proposal for our state. Permit me to extend my sincere appreciation to all arms of government, the 11th Niger State House of Assembly and the Judiciary, for the symbiotic working relationship with the Executive towards the actualisation of our ambitious NEW Niger agenda.
3. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, the 2025 Budget is exceptional as it allows us to strengthen the foundation that we have laid for the rapid socio-economic development of our dear State. This budget is to strengthen strides already achieved, which is why the 2025 Budget is titled “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security.” This title reflects our deliberate focus on ensuring a sustainable and secure future for all Nigerlites.
OVERVIEW OF THE 2024 BUDGET
4. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, you will recall that last year, I presented a budget proposal of 613 billion naira and a supplementary budget of N191,603,304,622.00 billion naira, totalling N805,598,186,519.45 billion naira, which the house graciously approved. As of November 2024, the budget performance was 68.88%, amounting to N554,914,730,777.21 billion naira of the entire budget.
5. In 2024, the state witnessed tremendous improvement in increasing our internally generated revenue (IGR). Between January and September, it grew from N18,073,583,079.90 billion in 2023 to N30,041,847,295.83 billion, representing a 39.84% increase.
6. To bridge the infrastructural gap in the state, we made significant investments in road infrastructure. To this end, we are currently constructing 1,030 km of roads, including 556km of roads across the 25 LGAs in the state.
7. Mr. Speaker, we recruited over 1000 health workers, flagged off the construction and equipping of 100 Level 2 PHCs; renovated the IBB Specialist Hospital, procured state-of-the-art equipment and enrolled over 104,000 beneficiaries with health insurance to ensure people’s affordability to health care services.
EDUCATION
8. We are repositioning the educational landscape to be accessible to the people. To this end, we established the Abdulkadir Kure University (AKUM) in Minna. We supported the students with Scholarships and bursaries totalling N450,000,000.00, awarded to 8,418 beneficiaries. The state government also secured a 1 million US dollar scholarship for the study of medicine abroad by the children of the less privileged; and we started a process which will see us renovate and construct about 600 secondary schools in the state.
TRANSPORTATION
9. Mr. Speaker, to improve public transportation and ensure the safety of our roads and waterways. Thus, we procured 200 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. We have constructed 5No 56-seater engine boats for Kokoli, Gbara Tako, Guzan, Malale and Old Awuru Communities in Agwara, Edati, Mokwa and Borgu Local Government Areas. In addition, 10No. 20-seater wooden boats with 75 horsepower engines and provided a water ambulance and two rescue boats through a partnership with NIWA, upgraded the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport and signed a strategic partnership with an Airline for weekly commercial flights in and out of Minna
THE 2025 BUDGET PROPOSALS
10. Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members, building on the successes of 2024, the proposed 2025 budget aims to solidify rapid socio-economic development of the State and to strengthen the already laid foundation to achieve the New Niger Agenda. The 2025 Budget, tagged “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security,” reflects our deliberate focus on addressing state development challenges and economic opportunities.
11. This budget will focus on the key economic sectors: Security of lives and properties, Agriculture and Food Security, Health, Education, Water and Sanitation, Infrastructure Development, Social Security, and Environmental Sustainability.
12. The 2025 budget preparation followed a participatory, people-centred approach through Citizen Engagement (Town Hall Meetings). This process, which we hold in high esteem, prioritises citizen involvement, ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
The 2025 REVENUE PROFILE
13. Mr. Speaker Sir, the total anticipated revenue to the state in 2025 is N1,558,887,565,358.00 trillion higher than the 2024 Appropriation by 48.32%. The estimate comprises N196, 335, 361, 443.00 billion or 13% of the budget size as recurrent expenditure and N1,362,552,203, 915.00 trillion representing 87% of the total budget size as capital expenditure. The revenue is to be derived from the following sources:
(a)Statutory Allocation-N53,400,000,000.00
(b)Value Added Tax-N85,300,555,454.00
c)Other FAAC Receipts-N236,900,000,000.00
(d)IGR -N63,360,000,000.00
(e)Other IGR-N186,368,241,948.00
(f)Capital Receipt-N933,558,767,956.00
Total-N1,558,887,565,358.00
14. This Capital Receipt component of the resource inflow, which is to the tune of N933,558,767,956.00 billion naira, is made of N493496,681,728.00 and N440,062,086,228.00 billion naira as loans and grants respectively. The proposed 2025 Budget is based on the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) and Budget Statement (BPS) 2025 – 2027 as passed by this Honorable Assembly. The Budget will be based on the following assumptions:
15.Annual returns on investment from agriculture of N106.37 billion naira
2.Annual Earnings from solid minerals N50 billion naira
3.Sustained internal revenue drive through automation of collections and blocking of leakages
4.A proposed exchange rate of N1,500 per USD
5.A projected National Inflation rate of 28% and GDP Growth rate of 3.7%
6.Crude oil price benchmark of $75 and production benchmark of 1.7 million barrels/day.
EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES
16. Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members, let me present the details of the proposed 2025 recurrent estimates at this juncture. The proposed recurrent expenditure for the 2025 fiscal year is N196,335,361,443.00 billion, with the following breakdown:
(a)Personnel Cost-N72,276,458,552.00
(b)Overhead Cost-N51,106,010,146.00
(c)Consolidated Revenue Fund charges-N72,952,892,745.00
Total = N196,335,361,443.00
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
17. Mr. Speaker and Honorable Members, the total projected capital expenditure for the year 2025 is N1,362,552,203,915.00 with the following sectorial breakdown:
(a)Administrative Sector-N27,611,200,002.00
(b)Economic-N1,362,552,203,915.00
(c)Law and Justice Sector-N3,508,500,000.00
(d)Social Sector-N224,926,959,523.00
Total =N1,362,552,203,915.00
SECTORAL BREAKDOWN
AGRICULTURE
18. We will harness the state’s comparative advantage in agriculture to ensure food security, create employment opportunities, generate revenue, and contribute to the overall economic growth of the state. In 2025, the state will witness massive investment in the agricultural sub-sector. To achieve this laudable objective, the sum of N399, 031,977,811.00 billion is earmarked for the agriculture sector.
19. The sector will attract investments from the Chinese Consortium and African Development Bank to the tune of N314,500,000,000.00 billion for Special Agro-Industrial Processing activities.
20. Because of livestock’s significant importance in the agricultural value-chain subsector, N9,840,000,000.00 has been allocated to improve livestock healthcare services and the consumption of hygienic dairy products.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
21. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, creating the Ministry of Rural Development was one of the administration’s deliberate efforts to strengthen rural livelihood. Our recent engagement with the rural populace revealed the need to revive the rural economy through self-initiated projects and programmes. By extension, the WARD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, which is community-driven, will be accorded the needed attention in the 2025 fiscal year. In this direction, the sum of N4,600,000,000.00 is earmarked for the sub-sector.
TOURISM
22. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the government will intensify efforts to maximise the potential in the sub-sector to improve internal revenue generation. Accordingly, N7,100,000,000.00 is allocated to complete the ongoing Five-star Hotel, revitalise Murtala Park, promote cultural activities, and develop some selected tourist sites in the State.
WATER RESOURCES
23. In the 2025 fiscal year, the government will prioritise the provision of potable water in both the rural and urban centres of the State. The rehabilitation of Five (5) bi-water schemes in Sabon Wuse, Kutigi, Salka, Takuti and Mariga will be pursued. This is in addition to the resuscitation of Five (5) small-town water supply schemes in Mokwa, Kagara, Kuta, Rijau and Lapai. The sector will receive a total allocation of N22,097,485,487.00
ELECTRIFICATION/ENERGY SUPPLY
24. The sum of N3,900,000,000.00 has been set aside for electricity supply to various communities in the State in the year 2025. While the completion of electrification projects across the state will also be pursued with vigour. Furthermore, N5,200,000,000.00 has also been earmarked for supplying, extending, installing and replacing solar-powered streetlights along our major streets in Minna and other locations across the state.
INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING AND URBAN RENEWAL
25. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members and fellow Nigerlites, our desire to change the narratives of our beloved State’s decay and deficit in infrastructural development has been apparent since the inception of this administration thus the “New Niger Agenda”. To this end, we have allocated the sum of N437,088,246,146.00 for road infrastructure in the urban and rural communities across the State for the 2025 fiscal year. Of this amount, N49,500,000,000.00 is provided for the 60.3km Matachibu to Bangi and 89km Bangi to Kanpani Bobi roads.
26. Furthermore, over N100 billion naira is set aside to continue Minna Phase I & II and Minna 100km road projects. All the ongoing road construction work across the major cities of Suleja, Bida, Kontagora and 5km roads in the Local Government Areas will be pursued to a logical conclusion. In the housing sub-sector, N8,067,638,659.00 has been earmarked for continuation work at the 3-Arm zone and other sites across the State.
TRANSPORT
27. Our administration is committed to ensuring an effective and efficient transportation system across the State. The CNG buses procured will soon be commissioned as N10,000,000,000.00 is earmarked for modern bus terminals and CNG stations in the State.
28. Mr. Speaker, we are concerned about the indiscriminate parking of heavy trucks in our cities and urban centres. In this direction, trailer parks will be constructed at Mokwa, Madalla, Lambata, Tafa, Tegina, and Kontagora at sum N29,354,400,000.00. And we will sensitise the riverine communities and provide life jackets, ferries, and rescue ambulances.
29. As part of our efforts to alleviate the current economic realities caused by the fuel subsidy removal and the general hike in prices, this administration, in partnership with Alternative Bank, will soon flag off the distribution of 1,000 electric tricycles to ease people’s movement from one destination to another.
INVESTMENT
30. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, our mission for a sustainable economy may not be realistic without growing the local economy by attracting investors and providing an enabling environment for improved independent revenue. We will pursue all MOUs signed within and outside the country to achieve this. Accordingly, we have earmarked the sum of N47,056,000,000.00 to the sub-sector.
SOLID MINERALS
31. It might interest you to know that our efforts in the recent past have started yielding positive results, with 5 partners under Zuma Mineral signing an agreement on mineral exploration and remittance of 25%, equivalent to N1 Billion naira per partner.
32. Mr. Speaker, sir, direct and indirect investment in hydrocarbons upstream and downstream will realise not less than N35 billion per annum. In this regard, N4,850,000,000.00 has been earmarked for the implementing Ministry to acquire the necessary tools and machinery.
ENVIRONMENT
33. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, our drive for eco-friendly environment led to creation of the Agency for Green Economy. In line with the principle of COP29, our efforts shall continue to be geared towards food security and a sustainable future. Formulating and implementing a state sustainability and food security plan will incentivise this intent. Therefore, the sun of N40,830,000,000.00 is earmarked in this direction. Of this amount, N10,000,000,000.00 will be deployed to raise nursery and tree planting initiatives across the 25 LGAs.
LAW AND JUSTICE
34. Our administration will continue to uphold judicial independence and prioritise the welfare of judges. Thus, the sector will receive an allocation of N3,508,500,000.00 for the renovation of Upper Sharia Courts Minna, Dikko, Chanchaga, Makera, and Kagara. To facilitate the timely dispensation of justice facilities for virtual proceedings, e-filling and an improved recording system of court proceedings will be provided in our courts.
EDUCATION
35. Mr. Speaker, our administration will devote more significant attention to providing adequate infrastructure in the 2025 fiscal year, emphasising the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, provision of learning and teaching equipment, training of teachers, and construction of new structures where necessary. The sub-sector is allocated the sum of N90,926,548,740.00.
36. In pursuance of our drive to provide opportunities for mastery of skills and knowledge in selected occupations as well as the development of personality for the proper living of our students in Technical Colleges, we shall, through the Whole School Approach, overhaul the Technical Colleges in Minna, Eyagi-Bida, Jebba North, Sabon Bwari, Suleja, Kontagora, Rijau and New-Bussa. Similarly, government will renovate 534 schools and construct additional 54 structures across the State. The project will gulp the sum of N45,047,034,660.00.
HEALTH
37. Under the health sub-sector, N85,625,419,708.00 is proposed for the 2025 financial year for the construction of 20 units of type II primary facilities in the state and N10,000,000,000.00 to build an additional 30 primary healthcare facilities across the State. This is in addition to the intervention by the National Primary Health Care and Global Fund for the construction of 20 units of primary facilities across LGAs in the State.
38. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the construction of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Teaching Hospital, one of the urban renewal projects, has an allocation of over N8,000,000,000.00 for the continuation of work in 2025. The government will also pursue the actualisation of the conversion of the Old Secretariat to the School of Medical and Health Science.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
39. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Administrative Sector is crucial for governance. It ensures efficient public service delivery, transparency, accountability, and adherence to the Rule of Law. This sector drives policy implementation and impacts citizens’ daily lives, reflecting the state’s strength and progress.
40. Our administration remains committed to improving the well-being of our civil servants for efficient service delivery. The payment of N80,000 minimum wage is strategically aimed at improving the general livelihood and performance of the State civil service. It’s our hope that the gesture will be reciprocated positively. The administrative sub-sector received over 15% of the total proposed 2025 budget.
41. In this regard, arrangements have been concluded in the setting up of the Niger State Central Coordination Platform at the Niger State Planning Commission and delivery Unit in my office as part of a State-wide integrated delivery system. This will ensure the effective implementation of our projects, policies and programmes across all sectors.
42. This administration has demonstrated its commitment to relocating and resettling the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and this effort will witness the flag-off of the construction of 300 homes for the IDPs.
CONCLUSION
43. Mr. Speaker, distinguished members of this Assembly, our quest for a “New Niger” calls for support, cooperation and understanding of every one of us. The 2024 approved estimates, this administration’s first annual budget, recorded tremendous success through your support. As we roll out the second full-year budget aimed at sustaining the gains of the recent past, I am confident of your trust and support in realising our noble objective.
44. Together, we can build a New Niger of our desire with equal opportunities for all to strive. Once more, I wish to reiterate that I am indebted to you all and appreciate the steadfast support accorded to all our initiatives. Also, I want to thank all Nigerlites for their unwavering support and understanding. On this note, I have the honour and privilege to present to the 11th Niger State Assembly the 2025 Appropriation of N1,558,887,565,358.00 trillion for legislative scrutiny and speedy passage.
God bless Niger State!
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you all.
