News Rendezvous

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, proposing a total budget of N486.2 billion for the fiscal year. The budget tagged the “Budget of Service”, prioritizes infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development, with a focus on poverty alleviation and inclusive growth.

Presenting the proposal before lawmakers, Governor Fintiri highlighted the rigorous efforts of his administration in crafting the budget, emphasizing its alignment with the state’s 8-Point Agenda. He underscored the importance of transparency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in achieving the government’s goals.

“We tasked our Executive Council members to provide detailed and justifiable estimates, taking into account their performance in 2024 and the alignment of their proposals with our administration’s philosophy of ensuring that no one is left behind and nothing is left untouched,” the governor stated.

Review of the 2024 Budget Performance
Governor Fintiri provided a summary of the 2024 fiscal year, revealing that the original budget of N225.8 billion was later revised to N281.1 billion through a supplementary budget. By September 30, 2024, the state had realized N154.8 billion in revenue, comprising N91.1 billion from statutory allocations, N9.1 billion from internally generated revenue (IGR), and N42.4 billion from capital receipts.

Of this revenue, N79.2 billion was expended on capital development projects, while personnel costs and overheads accounted for N34.1 billion and N41.4 billion, respectively. Fintiri noted that despite economic challenges, the government executed key projects in education, health, infrastructure, and rural development, positively impacting the lives of Adamawa citizens.

2025 Budget Breakdown
For the 2025 fiscal year, the proposed budget of N486.2 billion allocates N137.2 billion (28.23%) for recurrent expenditure and N348.9 billion (71.77%) for capital projects. The budget aligns with the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), reflecting national economic indicators, including an oil benchmark of $80 per barrel and an exchange rate of N1,314.94/$.

Revenue Projections:

Statutory Allocation: N53 billion

Value Added Tax (VAT): N91 billion

Exchange Rate Gains: N50 billion

Capital Receipts: N91.5 billion

Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): N24.5 billion

Expenditure Allocations:

Personnel Costs: N72.7 billion (15%)

Overhead Costs: N64.4 billion (13%)

Capital Expenditure: N348.9 billion (72%)

Priority Sectors
Governor Fintiri outlined key allocations for priority ministries and agencies to drive development across the state:

Ministry of Works and Energy Development: N88.8 billion

Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development: N40.4 billion

Ministry of Health and Human Services: N12.6 billion

Ministry of Agriculture: N12.6 billion

Adamawa State Staff Pension Board: N23.9 billion

The governor emphasized the government’s commitment to alleviating poverty through initiatives like the Fintiri Business Wallet, which has already empowered 25,000 women and youths. He announced that an additional 60,000 beneficiaries would receive N50,000 each, lifting an estimated 425,000 people out of poverty based on United Nations household standards.

Key Policy Highlights
Governor Fintiri reiterated his administration’s determination to boost revenue generation, modernize governance through digital initiatives, and address critical challenges facing the state. Plans to digitize the budgeting process were also unveiled, marking a shift from analog systems to e-budgeting to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

On infrastructure, Fintiri pledged to procure additional Fresh Airbuses to ease transportation burdens and to continue investments in urban and rural development, model schools, cottage hospitals, markets, and water schemes.

The governor also addressed security concerns, applauding Adamawa’s status as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful states and vowing to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders to sustain peace and security.

Governor Fintiri thanked the State Assembly for their cooperation and dedication to legislative duties, describing their efforts as integral to the state’s progress. He called on all stakeholders to work collectively to deliver the 2025 Budget of Service and foster sustainable development in Adamawa State.

“The 2025 budget is crafted to serve our people better. Together, we will build the Adamawa of today and the future,” Fintiri declared.

The governor  extended his warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year and urging for a continued support for his administration’s vision for growth and inclusivity.