Kano Budget: 68% Revenue Performance,“ Low Fund Releases Trigger Accountability Fears”REMAC
Despite impressive figures in Kano State’s proposed budget, civil society groups have raised concerns that poor fund releases may undermine government promises to improve health, education and social welfare across the state.
The concern followed a budget performance review presented to the Kano State House of Assembly by the Resource and Advocacy for Monitoring and Accountability (REMAC), which acknowledged strong allocations but questioned weak implementation in the 2025 fiscal year.
According to the analysis, the proposed budget earmarked ₦617.6 billion for the social sector, representing 54 per cent of total spending, covering education, health, youth, women affairs, environment and humanitarian services.
Education alone received ₦405.35 billion, amounting to 30 per cent of the total budget, a move REMAC described as consistent with the government’s declaration of a state of emergency in the sector.
The health sector was allocated ₦212.25 billion, representing 16 per cent of the total budget and exceeding the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration benchmark, a development accountability advocates said showed policy commitment.
The state’s internally generated revenue projection also rose to ₦131 billion, an increase of ₦26 billion from the ₦105 billion projected in 2025, with third-quarter performance standing at ₦71.68 billion, translating to about 68 per cent achievement.
Infrastructure was not left out, as ₦346.28 billion, representing 25 per cent of the budget, was allocated for urban renewal projects and new developments across the state.
However, REMAC observed that the 2025 budget performance revealed major gaps, particularly in fund releases, as only ₦103.5 billion out of ₦344 billion allocated to the social services sector was released, representing just 31 per cent.
The situation appeared worse in the health sector, where only ₦28.3 billion of the ₦109 billion allocated was released, while the State Primary Healthcare Management Board received ₦1.3 billion out of its ₦11.7 billion allocation, amounting to 11.4 per cent performance.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and the Disabled also recorded poor performance, with only ₦780 million released from its ₦5.2 billion allocation, raising concerns about the sustainability of empowerment and protection programmes.
Speaking on the findings, REMAC Programme Officer, Bashir A. Maikano, urged lawmakers to strengthen oversight to ensure accountability in budget implementation.
“While the allocations show commitment, the low releases raise serious accountability concerns, especially in sectors that directly affect the lives of citizens,” he said.
The organisation further called for increased funding for youth and women empowerment, special intervention funds for community vigilante groups amid rising insecurity, and greater investment in rural development alongside urban renewal projects.
REMAC concluded by commending the Kano State House of Assembly for its participatory legislative process, stressing that sustained oversight remains critical to translating budget figures into tangible benefits for the people.