By Suleiman Yakubu

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has proposed a record-breaking N1.558 trillion as the 2025 budget expenditure, presenting it to the State House of Assembly under the theme “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security.” The proposed budget marks a significant 48.3 percent increase over the 2024 budget. The budget allocates over N196 billion for recurrent expenditure, while a substantial 87 percent, over N1.3 trillion, is reserved for capital projects. It is anchored on the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), and Budget Statement (BPS) 2025–2027, as approved by the Assembly.
Governor Bago emphasised that the 2025 budget is designed to solidify agriculture as a cornerstone of the state’s economy while fostering sustainable development across critical sectors. He explained that the budget preparation followed a participatory, people-centred approach and aimed to accelerate socio-economic growth across security, health, education, water and sanitation, social welfare, and environmental sustainability. “This budget reflects our collective commitment to the Green Initiative and an agricultural drive that promotes long-term environmental health and resilience,” he said. The Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Renewal sector received the highest allocation of over N437 billion, while the Law and Justice sector had the lowest allocation of over N3.5 billion. The budget will be funded through statutory allocations, value-added tax (VAT), internally generated revenue (IGR), and capital receipts. The governor also noted the success of the 2024 budget, which achieved a commendable 68.88 percent performance, and expressed confidence that the 2025 budget would receive the support needed to achieve its ambitious goals. “In unity, we can build the Niger State of our dreams. I am grateful for the steadfast support of all Nigerlites and their unwavering commitment to our shared vision,” he said.
The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, AbdulMalik Sarkin Daji, commended the governor’s strategic management of state resources, which he said has delivered transformative results for citizens. He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting the administration’s developmental agenda and fostering a prosperous Niger State. The 2025 budget presentation was attended by a distinguished audience, including First Lady Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago, Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba, state executives, judiciary members, traditional rulers led by the Emir of Borgu, and religious leaders. Governor Bago’s administration remains committed to advancing transformative projects and initiatives that prioritise sustainability, resilience, and prosperity for Niger State.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State government has suspended its ongoing project inspection tour across the 25 local government areas to mourn the death of Hon. Danlami Abdullahi Saku, the Council Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area. Hon. Saku tragically passed away in a fatal auto crash near Kwakuti, along the Minna-Suleja road, on Tuesday, December 9, 2024.
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, accompanied by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, and other state officials, had been inspecting projects across the state. The tour was scheduled to continue in the Niger East Senatorial Zone (Zone B) after covering Zones A and C. However, the death of the Katcha LG Chairman has led to the postponement of the Zone B tour.
In a statement released by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Minna, Governor Bago announced that the tour is now postponed until January 2025 as a mark of respect for the deceased Chairman.
The statement also mentioned that a Fidda’u prayer, led by the Director General of Religious Affairs, Dr. Umar Farooq Abdullahi, will be held tomorrow (Friday) after Juma’at prayers at the Minna Central Mosque.
Governor Bago prayed for Allah to grant Aljanna Firdausi to the deceased and to comfort his family and the people of Katcha.
It is worth noting that the governor had previously toured local government areas in Zones A and C, inspecting ongoing projects across the state.