The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to participatory governance as part of the preparation for the 2026 fiscal year budget, ensuring that citizens’ voices and local priorities are reflected in state development planning.
Chairman of the Kano State Social Protection Platform, Malam Salisu Yusuf, stated this while supervising the zonal public consultation exercise for the Kano Central Senatorial District, held across Rano, Gaya, Karaye, and Bichi zones.
Malam Yusuf explained that the state has adopted the culture of involving citizens, community leaders, and stakeholders in identifying needs and aspirations that should shape government spending priorities.
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“It has been a long-standing tradition of Kano State to gather citizens’ input before finalising the annual budget,” he said. “People know their needs better, and their voices are essential in building a responsive, inclusive, and impactful 2026 budget.”
He added that the Kano Budget Working Group decided to extend the consultations across all zones to ensure that every segment of society — including women, children, youth, and people with disabilities — is represented.
Speaking earlier, the Mai Garin Gama, Alhaji Rabi’u Isyaku Gama, commended the initiative, describing it as a practical step toward good governance. He noted that the opportunity to provide direct community input would help government officials better understand local challenges and set realistic development targets.
“I am happy to be part of this important engagement,” Alhaji Gama said. “We used this opportunity to present the demands of our people for inclusion in the 2026 Kano State budget. I also call on philanthropists to complement government efforts by addressing social challenges in their communities even before public intervention.”
In her remarks, the Speaker of the Kano Children’s Parliament, Hauwa’u Muhammad Ibrahim, from Nasarawa Local Government Area, said she was proud to represent the voices of young people during the consultation.
She presented key demands focusing on education, healthcare, girl-child education, and inclusion for persons living with disabilities.
“Last year, we submitted a similar request for the construction of ‘Yan Dodo Road in Hotoro area, which is now under construction. We are confident that our new submissions will also be taken seriously to improve the lives of children and residents across the state,” Hauwa’u stated.
Responding to the various presentations, the Principal Officer in charge of the budget at the State Ministry of Planning and Budget, Malam Mustapha Sani Sulaiman, assured participants that the ministry would prioritise citizens’ recommendations while preparing the 2026 state budget.
He emphasised that the essence of the forum is to ensure that the government’s fiscal planning directly aligns with citizens’ needs, noting that similar exercises are ongoing in other senatorial zones of the state.
According to him, the feedback gathered from these forums will form the backbone of the 2026 Kano State Annual Budget, reflecting a people-centered approach to governance and resource allocation.
Malam Mustapha commended the Social Protection Platform and other partners for coordinating the engagements effectively, adding that such initiatives help promote transparency, accountability, and public trust in government.
The consultation drew participants from civil society organisations, traditional institutions, youth groups, women associations, and representatives from the Children’s Parliament, all contributing diverse perspectives to guide the state’s 2026 development priorities.
