Borno Governor, Prof Babagana 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. Along with important investments in infrastructure, social services, and security, the budget places a high priority on economic recovery, health, and education.
The budget comprises a capital expenditure of ₦380.84 billion and a recurrent expenditure of ₦203.92 billion.
It will be funded by ₦237.96 billion in capital receipts, which include grants, aid, and a capital development fund; ₦30.09 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR); and ₦311.70 billion in recurring revenue from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The health sector would receive ₦89.97 billion, or 15.39% of the total budget amount, according to Governor Zulum’s announcement of the sectoral distribution.
He unveiled a comprehensive healthcare strategy that included the repair of hospitals in Baga and Mulai, the construction of an orthopaedic hospital in Maiduguri, and the opening of general hospitals in Magumeri, Gubio, Azare, Uba, Dikwa, Kaleri, and Mafa.
The Borno State University Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri has been completed and put into service, and the State Health Insurance Scheme has been expanded to include vulnerable residents and civil servants in all 27 Local Government Areas.
“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.”
“The Borno State primary health care development agency would revitalise 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, construction of five additional Mega Schools and five Mega High Islamic Schools, and rehabilitate facilities in 50 schools across the state.
Zulum announced investments in large-scale Firgi farming, the cultivation of 100,000 hectares for rain-fed agriculture, 50,000 hectares for irrigation, and the purchase of food goods valued at ₦10 billion to combat food insecurity.
“In the next fiscal year, the government will invest in programs 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 reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities. Other major projects include.
Other priority projects in the 2025 budget include the establishment of Maiduguri Dry Port, the dualization of a 7.1 km stretch of Maiduguri-Biu Road, and the construction of a 6-span bridge across River Ngaddabul, as well as the modernisation of Borno Radio and Television (BRTV).
Governor Zulum stated that the implementation of the ₦72,000 minimum salary for teachers and civil servants has already begun and reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling important issues, including as resolving the backlog of pensions and gratuities. He declared, “We are committed to ensuring the welfare of our pensioners despite the impact of the flood disaster.”
In order to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous future for its people, he also promised his steadfast support for projects that will improve resilience, continuity, and rehabilitation throughout Borno State.
Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan declared that the House has enacted 12 laws that will directly improve the lives of the state’s citizens and encourage good governance.
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for the resettlement of victims of Boko Haram insurgency, acknowledging the cordial working relationship between the legislature and the executive.
