The Sokoto State Executive Council, on Tuesday, approved a technical amendment to the 2025 public budget, aimed at improving implementation and addressing emerging priorities without increasing the overall budget size.

Briefing journalists shortly after the council meeting, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Dr. Abubakar Zayanna, explained that the adjustment was necessary to ensure a more “realistic and intentional budgeting system” that aligns with public financial management provisions and stakeholder planning.

According to Zayanna, the approved amendment does not alter the ₦526.88 billion budget size earlier passed for 2025. Instead, funds totalling ₦38.81 billion were reallocated from under-utilised areas to critical sectors to boost performance.

“All we did was move funds from one code to another. We reviewed non-discretionary capital receipts that were unlikely to materialise, removed their corresponding expenditure lines, and increased allocations in areas where revenues over-performed.

“This will help us achieve 70–80 per cent budget performance by year-end,” the commissioner said.

He added that the adjustment will ensure that every naira in the budget works for the state within the next few months, avoiding a situation where funds remain tied to dormant projects while urgent priorities suffer.

In a related development, the council also approved the reconstruction and rehabilitation of key sections of Ali-Akilu Road and Abdullahi Podi Road to tackle flood-related damage and allow the free flow of water in affected areas.

“These interventions will bring relief to residents and prevent further environmental and infrastructural challenges caused by the heavy rains,” a statement from the council noted.

The amended budget proposal will now be transmitted to the State House of Assembly for legislative approval, after which it will become a legal instrument for implementation.