Soba Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State has secured approval for its 2026 budget proposal, estimated at N6.8 billion, following a detailed defence before the State House of Assembly Committee on Appropriation and Implementation. The budget, themed “Budget of Consolidation and Transformation for Inclusive Development,” was cleared after lawmakers initially rejected it, citing discrepancies and demanding further clarification from the council’s leadership.
In his defence, Soba LGA Chairman, Mohammed Lawal-Shehu, presented the council’s 2025 performance data. He disclosed that while the approved budget for that year was N5.3 billion, actual expenditure exceeded N7.7 billion. This increase, he attributed to improved revenue mobilisation, prudent financial management, and enhanced fiscal discipline. The rise in personnel costs, he explained, was largely driven by the implementation of the new national minimum wage and consequential salary adjustments, in line with Kaduna State Government’s policy framework.
Chairman Lawal-Shehu further revealed that the council executed capital projects worth over N3.5 billion during the review period, highlighting its commitment to infrastructure development and service delivery at the grassroots level. These projects, he noted, are pivotal for driving local economic growth and enhancing community welfare.
After scrutiny and necessary adjustments, the Assembly approved the 2026 budget. Lawmakers reaffirmed their confidence in the council’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and sustainable development, observing that the revised document aligns with Kaduna State’s broader development priorities.
Presiding over the session, Yunusa Shehu-Pambegua, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation and Implementation, emphasized the Assembly’s commitment to open and participatory governance through its public-private partnership framework. He underscored the committee’s mandate to rigorously review budget performance and appropriations, ensuring they serve the best interests of Kaduna State’s citizens.
In Nigeria’s federal structure, local government budgets are critical for funding grassroots initiatives in sectors like education, health, and infrastructure. The approval of Soba LGA’s 2026 budget reinforces efforts towards consolidated, inclusive development, with resources directed toward transformative projects that support state-wide growth objectives. This process exemplifies the collaborative oversight between local and state authorities aimed at fostering sustainable community advancement.
