Gombe Executive Council Approves 2026 Budget, Governor to Present Thursday

Gombe Executive Council ApprThe Gombe State Executive Council has approved the state’s 2026 draft budget for submission to the House of Assembly, following its 50th meeting held on Monday.

Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting at the Gombe Arena, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Alkali, said the approval was in line with established budgetary procedures.

He explained that the process began with a citizens’ engagement forum held earlier in the year to gather residents’ contributions and ensure the proposed budget reflected public priorities.

“Earlier this year, we conducted a citizens’ consultation to capture residents’ inputs in the budget. After extensive deliberations, the council approved the draft for transmission to the House of Assembly,” Alkali stated.

He added that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya is expected to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to lawmakers on Thursday for legislative consideration and breakdown.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, announced that the council had approved the establishment of a Primary Healthcare Leadership Steering Committee across the 11 local government areas and 13 local council development areas.

According to him, the initiative aims to consolidate gains in the health sector and improve the state’s performance in national and international health assessments.

“The committee will enhance our participation in national health challenges and improve monitoring and evaluation at the grassroots,” Dahiru explained.

Gombe State has, in recent years, adopted a participatory and programme-based budgeting system.

The state’s 2024 budget, estimated at ₦208.06 billion, allocated 58 percent to capital projects and 42 percent to recurrent expenses, underscoring its focus on infrastructure and development.