Sokoto Assembly approves 2026 budget amendment, states discounting programme
By Muhammad Nasir
The Sokoto State House of Assembly has approved Gov. Ahmed Aliyu’s request for the amendment of the 2026 Appropriation Bill and the state’s participation in the “States Discounting Programme” aimed at financing infrastructure projects.
The approval followed a motion moved by the House Majority Leader, Alhaji Bello Idris (APC-Gwadabawa), during plenary on Wednesday after deliberations by lawmakers on the governor’s request.
Idris explained that the States Discounting Programme was an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to support infrastructural development across the 36 states of the federation.
According to him, under the arrangement, a total of N252 billion would be deducted monthly from the Federation Account allocations of states for one year as savings toward the programme.
He said that from May 2026, each participating state would be eligible to access N84 billion in promissory notes at a negotiable rate for infrastructure development.
“In line with the provisions of the State Fiscal Responsibility Law and other extant regulations, any adjustment or modification to the approved budget must be appropriated to ensure conformity and sound budgeting,” Idris said.
He added that the House resolved to authorise the state government to participate in the programme from May 2026 to April 2027 to enable it access N84 billion in promissory notes at an 18 per cent negotiable rate for infrastructural projects.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Alhaji Abdullahi Zakari (APC-Rabah), said the amendment would facilitate the execution of no fewer than 13 infrastructure projects across the state.
Zakari stated that the projects included roads and feeder roads construction across the 23 Local Government Areas, bridge construction, procurement of security vehicles, and construction of 500 housing units at the Sokoto New City, among others.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Tukur Bala, subsequently put the motion to a voice vote, which received unanimous support from the lawmakers.
