By Abdullahi Mustapha From Borno State
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has presented the 2025 Budget, tagged the “Budget of Recovery and Continuity,” with a total sum of ₦584.76 billion aimed at consolidating the state’s developmental strides.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson to the governor, Zulum Dauda Iliya, who said, “The budget prioritizes health, education, and economic recovery, alongside critical investments in security, infrastructure, and social services.”
The budget comprises a Capital Expenditure of ₦380.84 billion and a Recurrent Expenditure of ₦203.92 billion. It will be financed through Recurrent Revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) of ₦311.70 billion, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of ₦30.09 billion, and Capital Receipts of ₦237.96 billion, which include aid, grants, and a Capital Development Fund.
Announcing the sectoral allocation, Governor Zulum said the health sector will receive ₦89.97 billion, which is 15.39% of the total budget size.
He announced a robust healthcare agenda, including the construction of an Orthopaedic Hospital in Maiduguri, the establishment of General Hospitals in Magumeri, Gubio, Azare, Uba, Dikwa, Kaleri, and Mafa, alongside the rehabilitation of hospitals in Baga and Mulai.
Completion and commissioning of the Borno State University Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, and expansion of the State Health Insurance Scheme for civil servants and vulnerable citizens across the 27 Local Government Areas are also planned.
“Enrol civil servants into the State Health Insurance Scheme, expand the enrolment of vulnerable indigenes across the 27 Local Government Areas into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.”
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“The Borno State Primary Health Care Development Agency would revitalize 100 primary health care centres in the state and plan to construct 6 additional primary health care centres and upgrade 6 PHCs to comprehensive health centres,” Zulum added.
In the education sector, which was allocated ₦69.81 billion, Governor Zulum highlighted the plan to establish a new Second Chance School, construct five additional Mega Schools and five Mega High Islamic Schools, and rehabilitate facilities in 50 schools across the state.
Zulum announced the procurement of food items worth ₦10 billion to address food insecurity, the cultivation of 100,000 hectares for rain-fed farming and 50,000 hectares for irrigation, and investment in large-scale Firgi farming.
“In the next fiscal year, the government will invest in programmes aimed at stimulating local economic activities, supporting small businesses, and attracting investment.”
He emphasized that the state government has released the sum of ₦22 billion for victim support and the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Other priority projects in the 2025 budget include the establishment of Maiduguri Dry Port, dualization of a 7.1km stretch of Maiduguri-Biu Road, and construction of a 6-span bridge across River Ngaddabul, as well as the modernization of Borno Radio and Television (BRTV).
Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to addressing key challenges, including clearing the backlog of pensions and gratuities, noting that the implementation of a ₦72,000 minimum wage for civil servants and teachers has already commenced. “Despite the impact of the flood disaster, we are committed to ensuring the welfare of our pensioners,” he said.
He also pledged unwavering support for initiatives that will strengthen recovery, continuity, and resilience across Borno State, ensuring a stable and prosperous future for its citizens.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan, announced that the House passed a total of 12 laws that will directly promote good governance and impact the lives of the citizens.