The Sokoto State Government has commenced zonal town hall meetings across its three senatorial districts to gather citizens’ input ahead of the 2026 budget.
The sessions, held on Thursday, took place in Tambuwal, Tangaza, and Gwadabawa Local Government Areas as part of the government’s drive to promote inclusive governance.
They brought together traditional rulers, lawmakers, civil society organisations, youth, women groups, and people with disabilities to identify key community priorities for inclusion in next year’s budget.
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Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Zayyana, said the initiative reflects Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s commitment to participatory governance.
He noted, “This government wants to hear directly from the people before putting pen to paper.
“Our goal is to design a people-oriented budget that addresses real needs, not assumptions.”
Zayyana further explained that the administration aims to “make every naira count by ensuring that projects and programmes reflect the collective voice of Sokoto people.”
According to him, “The days of imposing budgets from the top are over; the people now have a real say in determining their development priorities.”
He added that most submissions received align with the government’s agenda focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty reduction.
He assured residents that their inputs “will not end as mere paperwork but will translate into tangible results in the 2026 fiscal year.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Shagari, described the meetings as “an unprecedented step toward fairness and accountability,” adding that “this is budgeting by the people and for the people.
It’s about justice in resource allocation and ensuring no community is left behind.”
Shagari emphasised that the state government would “ensure transparency at every stage of the budget process,” adding, “We are committed to publishing budget performance reports quarterly so that citizens can track how funds are spent.”
The House Leader, Alhaji Bello Idris, representing Gwadabawa South, praised the process as “a clear demonstration of government’s sincerity,” saying, “This consultation shows that the government is not only listening but acting on the people’s demands.
It’s a new dawn for participatory democracy in Sokoto State.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, lauded the initiative as “governance at its best where people are not just spectators but active contributors.”
He added, “When people are part of decision-making, implementation becomes easier and accountability stronger.”
Civil society groups under the Budget Advocacy Coalition also expressed support, saying the move promotes transparency and strengthens public trust in government.
The coalition’s Executive Director, Rabi’u Auwal, said, “This approach fosters ownership, strengthens accountability, and builds trust between citizens and government.
It shows that the Sokoto government is serious about open governance.”
He further assured, “We will continue to collaborate with the Sokoto State Government and all stakeholders to promote fiscal responsibility and transparency across every ministry and agency.”
