The Sokoto State Government has commenced zonal town hall meetings across its three senatorial districts as part of preparations for the 2026 fiscal year budget, aimed at ensuring transparency and public participation in the budgeting process.
The sessions, held in Tambuwal, Tangaza, and Gwadabawa Local Government Areas, brought together traditional rulers, lawmakers, civil society groups, youth and women organisations, and persons with disabilities to identify priority needs for inclusion in next year’s budget.
Declaring the meetings open on Thursday, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Abubakar Zayyana, said the initiative reflects Governor Ahmad Aliyu’s commitment to open, inclusive, and people-driven governance.
“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 said.
He noted that the majority of submissions received align with the administration’s focus on education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and poverty reduction.
The Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Shagari, described the initiative as “an unprecedented step toward fairness and accountability,” stressing that it would ensure equitable distribution of resources across the state.
“This is budgeting by the people and for the people. It’s about justice in resource allocation and ensuring no community is left behind,” he said.
The House Leader, Alhaji Bello Idris (Gwadabawa South), hailed the process as “a clear demonstration of government sincerity,” adding that it signals “a new chapter for participatory democracy in Sokoto.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, commended Governor Aliyu for giving citizens a direct voice in shaping the budget.
“This is governance at its best — where people are not just spectators but active contributors,” he said.
Representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also applauded the inclusive approach, pledging continued support from the traditional institution.
Civil society organisations under the Budget Advocacy Coalition expressed strong backing for the initiative. Its Executive Director, Rabi’u Auwal, said it would “foster ownership, strengthen accountability, and build trust between citizens and government.”
The town halls recorded wide participation from across the state, reflecting broad consensus in support of participatory budgeting as a tool for transparency, inclusion, and responsive governance in Sokoto State.
