Sokoto State Government says it is implementing an ambitious development agenda without borrowing, with 70 per cent of its 2026 budget dedicated to capital projects.
Gatekeepers News reports that Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi, said the administration of Governor Ahmad Aliyu has adopted a strict fiscal model that prioritises infrastructure and long-term investments while cutting the cost of governance.
“At the heart of this strategy is the 2026 budget, where 70 per cent is allocated to capital projects and just 30 per cent to recurrent spending,” Danchadi said, describing the approach as deliberate and unprecedented.
He added that the government is operating a no-borrowing policy, insisting that all projects are executed within available resources. According to him, this is supported by strict financial controls, including a “no-variation” policy that fixes contract sums from the outset to prevent cost inflation and abuse.
Danchadi said the administration also pays 30 per cent upfront to contractors to ensure quick mobilisation and stimulate economic activity, attributing the model to the governor’s financial expertise.
“Members of the State Executive Council, and indeed the people of Sokoto State, are very proud because the Governor Aliyu administration will leave no debt burden at the end of its tenure, unlike a particular previous administration that accumulated debt without tangible results,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the impact of the policy is already visible, with more than 350 roads constructed, alongside expanded healthcare facilities, rehabilitated schools, and installation of solar-powered streetlights across the state.
He added that the government has also maintained continuity by completing projects inherited from previous administrations.
On inherited liabilities, Danchadi said the administration is addressing over ₦14 billion in unpaid gratuities owed to retirees through a structured repayment plan of about ₦500 million monthly, alongside an additional ₦300 million provision to prevent new arrears.
He explained that the government’s financial discipline includes verification processes, digital revenue collection, and strict adherence to due process to ensure that all projects are backed by available funds.
Danchadi cited the reconstruction of the Sokoto Central Market as an example of the administration’s cautious approach. He said the government paused initial plans after discovering the facility had been mortgaged under former Governor Aminu Tambuwal.
According to him, the debt was cleared before an ₦8.5 billion reconstruction contract was awarded, a move aimed at avoiding legal complications and securing full ownership of the market.
He said the administration’s policies are guided by its 9-Point Smart Agenda, which aligns immediate interventions with long-term development goals and has undergone a midterm review to ensure sustainability.
“We recognised the depth of the developmental gaps and moved quickly, but without undermining planning or due process,” Danchadi said.
He added that the model is delivering visible projects, restoring public confidence, and maintaining fiscal stability without accumulating debt, positioning Sokoto as a potential example of sustainable, debt-free governance.
