Everything About State Allocation For Zamfara State

Zamfara State, located in the northwestern part of Nigeria, is at a crucial point in its development trajectory. As the state faces a range of challenges from security to economic underdevelopment, the government has taken bold steps to address these issues. In 2025, Zamfara unveiled an ambitious budget to reposition the state’s fortunes, with a focus on sustainable development and public welfare.

This blog post explores everything you need to know about Zamfara State’s 2025 allocation — including the budget size, revenue breakdown, sectoral priorities, and implementation strategies.

Overview of Zamfara State’s 2025 Budget

Governor Dauda Lawal, in December 2024, presented the 2025 appropriation bill to the Zamfara State House of Assembly. The total proposed budget stood at ₦546.01 billion, representing a significant 28% increase from the 2024 budget of ₦426.56 billion. The budget was swiftly passed and signed into law, under the theme "Rescue Budget 2.0."

This substantial increase is in response to the state’s growing developmental needs and the urgency to reposition key sectors for long-term growth.

Capital vs. Recurrent Expenditure

A key highlight of the 2025 budget is the aggressive tilt towards capital expenditure:

• Capital Expenditure: ₦394.74 billion (72%)

• Recurrent Expenditure: ₦151.27 billion (28%)

This breakdown demonstrates the administration’s focus on infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and security over routine administrative costs. By allocating the bulk of its budget to capital projects, the government signals its intention to build long-term assets and reduce dependency on federal allocations.

Revenue Sources

To fund the ₦546.01 billion budget, Zamfara State outlined the following revenue streams:

1. Federal Allocation (FAAC)
   As with most Nigerian states, federal allocations constitute the largest chunk of the state’s income. Over 90% of the projected revenue is expected from FAAC. This includes revenue from oil exports, VAT, and other centrally collected income.

2. Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)
   The state aims to generate ₦32 billion through internal mechanisms. This figure reflects an improvement over previous years and showcases a growing emphasis on tax reforms, land revenue, and SME levies.

3. Grants and External Support
   Additional funding will come from foreign development partners and donor organizations to support health, education, and agricultural projects.

Sectoral Allocation: Where the Money Goes

The 2025 budget places strong emphasis on critical sectors essential for reviving Zamfara’s economy and social fabric.

1. Security and Law Enforcement

Zamfara State has long grappled with insecurity, especially issues related to banditry, kidnapping, and insurgency. For 2025, the state has earmarked a significant portion of the budget to:

• Upgrade security infrastructure

• Procure advanced surveillance equipment

• Strengthen local policing through community engagement

• Support military operations in troubled regions

The goal is to create a safe and secure environment that fosters investment and public confidence.

2. Education

The education sector gets a generous slice of the capital allocation. Key focus areas include:

• Construction and renovation of schools across all local governments

• Recruitment and training of teachers

• Distribution of learning materials

• Expansion of technical and vocational education

• Scholarship programs for underprivileged students

Zamfara aims to reduce the number of out-of-school children and increase school enrollment, especially for girls.

3. Healthcare

Health is another priority. The state’s 2025 allocation includes:

• Construction and upgrading of primary healthcare centers

• Purchase of ambulances and diagnostic equipment

• Employment of additional healthcare workers

• Support for maternal and child health programs

• Implementation of the Zamfara State Health Insurance Scheme

The aim is to bring healthcare closer to the grassroots and reduce mortality rates.

4. Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure projects form the backbone of the capital budget. Planned projects include:

• Construction and rehabilitation of major roads and rural feeder roads

• Water supply and sanitation projects

• Electrification of underserved communities

• Completion of the Gusau International Airport, which is expected to stimulate trade, tourism, and investment

This infrastructure push will help open up remote areas and connect them to economic hubs.

5. Agriculture

As a primarily agrarian state, Zamfara is investing heavily in the agricultural sector:

• Provision of subsidized fertilizers and farming equipment

• Expansion of irrigation schemes

• Establishment of agro-processing zones

• Access to credit facilities for farmers

The goal is to boost food production, create jobs, and enhance food security in the state.

Budget Implementation and Monitoring

To ensure the success of the 2025 budget, the government of Zamfara has put in place various implementation and monitoring mechanisms. These include:

• Quarterly Budget Performance Reports
  The state releases quarterly performance reports to track how well allocations are being utilized.

• Community Monitoring Groups
  Civil society organizations and local monitors will be engaged to ensure transparency and citizen participation.

• Digital Tools
  The use of e-governance platforms for procurement, project monitoring, and reporting is encouraged to reduce corruption and inefficiency.

In the Q1 2025 budget performance report, Zamfara had achieved 6.4% budget execution, indicating the need to intensify implementation efforts in the remaining quarters.

Challenges and Considerations

While the 2025 budget is comprehensive and ambitious, several challenges remain:

• Heavy Dependence on FAAC
  Over-reliance on federal allocation makes the budget vulnerable to oil price fluctuations and national economic shocks.

• Security Constraints
  Ongoing insecurity could hamper implementation, especially in rural and conflict-prone areas.

• Bureaucratic Bottlenecks
  Delays in procurement and disbursement may affect timely execution of projects.

To address these issues, the state government must remain agile and proactive in its policies and fiscal management.

Conclusion

Zamfara State’s 2025 allocation represents a bold and forward-thinking approach to governance. With a budget of ₦546.01 billion, the state is setting a clear direction toward transformation, anchored in security, education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure.

By prioritizing capital development and strengthening institutions for implementation and oversight, the “Rescue Budget 2.0” offers a blueprint for sustainable growth. The next step lies in translating these plans into tangible outcomes that improve the everyday lives of the citizens of Zamfara.

If successfully implemented, Zamfara’s 2025 budget could mark the beginning of a new chapter — one of hope, development, and resilience.