The Jigawa government has approved the 2026 revised budget of N948.2 billion, up from N901.8 billion.

Sagir Musa, the youth, sport and culture commissioner, said in a statement on Tuesday that the revised estimate increased by N46.369 billion following changes in revenue projections and adjustments to capital revenue sources.

Mr Musa said that the review reflected the reversal of proposed savings from some expenditure lines and new priorities requiring government attention.

“The revised budget is designed to align government expenditure with available resources while responding appropriately to emerging revenue realities and critical priority expenditure requirements,” he said.

Mr Musa said that the revised budget and proposed supplementary budget would be transmitted to the State House of Assembly for approval.

He said that the review was expected to strengthen implementation of the 2026 fiscal programme and support spending on programmes and projects with significant social and economic impact.

Mr Musa said that the State Executive Council has approved a 2026–2031 roadmap for the Jigawa State Learning Poverty-Free Initiative.

Mr Musa said that the initiative would make learning outcomes a central measure of progress in the state’s education sector, rather than school access alone. He said that the council approved a statewide baseline assessment of children’s literacy and numeracy competencies in 2026.

The commissioner said that the assessment would identify gender, socio-economic and geographical disparities and provide evidence for setting targets and allocating resources.

Mr Musa said the SEC endorsed governance arrangements involving relevant ministries, local authorities, development partners and communities to implement the initiative. He said the framework would provide a basis for accountability and transparent progress tracking through 2031.

The SEC, he said, directed cabinet members to conduct regular field visits across the state’s 27 local government areas.

“The visits will cover local council administration and grassroots projects, including those financed through the Polling Units Development Fund,” he said.

According to Mr Musa, the directive follows the council’s review of the fund’s performance, community reach and socio-economic outcomes.

He said cabinet members were expected to assess project progress, resource allocation, project selection and the quality of micro-projects by engaging local officials, ward development committees, traditional institutions and community leaders during the field assessments.

He said the measure would strengthen grassroots accountability and ensure projects respond to pressing community needs.

(NAN)