The Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC) has called on the Kano State House of Assembly to strengthen revenue generation, scale up investment in health, education, and security, and improve transparency in the implementation of the proposed 2026 budget.
Speaking during the public hearing on the 2026 budget at the Kano State House of Assembly, the Executive Director of FIDAC,Dr. Abdussalam Muhammad Kani, commended the 10th Assembly for its legislative productivity, noting that over 40 bills have been passed and more than 350 motions adopted.
He also acknowledged the presentation of the 2026 draft budget within the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), describing it as a positive step toward fiscal planning and policy continuity.
However, Kani stressed that the real impact of the budget would depend largely on the quality of implementation, spending efficiency, and accountability mechanisms put in place.
According to FIDAC, Kano State remains heavily dependent on federal allocations despite its vast informal economy and untapped internal revenue potential.
The organisation urged the Assembly to promote automation, reduce revenue leakages, and diversify Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), including the publication of a quarterly revenue performance dashboard.
On sectoral allocations, FIDAC described the 16 per cent allocation to the health sector as commendable but insufficient to address critical needs such as maternal and newborn health, primary healthcare revitalisation, emergency response services, and medical equipment. The group called for increased funding to reduce maternal and child mortality across the state.
FIDAC also noted that while the 30 per cent allocation to education supports inclusive education and the school feeding programme, capital funding gaps persist.
It warned that the current allocation may not significantly reduce the burden of over one million out-of-school children or modernise public school infrastructure.
Addressing security concerns, the organisation observed that although security-related budget lines exist, funding remains limited in the face of emerging security threats.
It recommended increased investment in surveillance systems, intelligence gathering, community policing, drug abuse prevention, and early-warning mechanisms.
The group further raised concerns over the participatory budgeting process, stating that while citizens’ inputs were collected, many were not clearly reflected in the draft budget.
FIDAC urged the Assembly to ensure that public submissions are traceable in sectoral allocations to enhance transparency and citizen ownership.
In addition, FIDAC called for stronger legislative oversight, recommending the creation of a dedicated budget line to support regular field monitoring, project tracking, and facility inspections across the state’s 44 local government areas. It said this would help reduce abandoned projects and promote value-for-money spending.
The organisation also urged the House to strengthen procurement oversight, adopt performance-based budgeting, and publish the outcomes of budget public hearings to improve transparency and accountability.
FIDAC commended the Kano State House of Assembly for opening civic space for public participation and reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with lawmakers to promote budget transparency, fiscal discipline, and improved development outcomes for the people of Kano State.