The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. AbdulMalik Sarkindaji, has lauded Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for his remarkable infrastructural strides within one year in office.
Speaking during the governor’s presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill on Thursday, the Speaker highlighted Bago’s prudent resource management as a model for effective governance.

Sarkindaji commended the governor’s ambitious road projects, including 556 state and federal road constructions, which he said are transforming connectivity, fostering trade, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

He also praised the governor for focusing on youth empowerment, citing the recent allocation of scholarships to 1,000 students for science courses in India as a forward-thinking initiative to equip the state’s youth with vital skills for a technological future.

“The harmonious relationship your administration has fostered with this assembly has been pivotal in achieving these milestones. Together, we are ensuring that the people of Niger State reap the benefits of a collaborative and progressive government,” Sarkindaji stated.

Governor Bago presented a proposed N1.558 trillion budget for the 2025 fiscal year, tagged the “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security.” The budget allocates N1.3 trillion (87%) for capital projects and N196 billion (13%) for recurrent expenditure, reflecting a commitment to transformative development in the state.

The Assembly assured the governor of its unwavering support to achieve even greater milestones in the coming year.

Niger State Governor, Rt. Hon. Umaru Mohammed Bago, has presented a budget estimate of N1,558,887,565,358.00 to the State House of Assembly for consideration for the 2025 fiscal year. The proposed budget is a significant increase from the N805.6 billion allocated for the 2024 fiscal year, reflecting a 48.32% rise.
The 2025 budget proposal is divided into two main components: N196,335,361,443.00 (13%) for recurrent expenditure and N1,362,552,203,915.00 (87%) for capital expenditure. The budget will be funded through a variety of sources, including statutory allocations of N53.4b, Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N85.3b, Federation Allocation Account (FAAC) receipts totaling N236.9b, and an expected N63.36 billion from internally generated revenue (IGR). Additional IGR sources, including capital receipts, will contribute N933.56b, bringing the total budget size to N1.56tr.
Governor Bago emphasized that the 2025 budget, dubbed the “Budget of Hope for Sustainability and Food Security,” is designed to solidify the state’s socio-economic development and strengthen the foundations of the New Niger Agenda. He noted that the budget prioritizes key sectors such as security, agriculture and food security, health, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure development, social security, and environmental sustainability.
The governor also highlighted the participatory approach used in preparing the budget, which involved citizen engagement through town hall meetings. This process, he stated, ensures transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, prioritizing the input of the state’s residents in shaping the budget.
Bago’s administration aims to address the state’s development challenges and seize economic opportunities, making the 2025 budget a cornerstone of his government’s vision for Niger’s future.

Katcha Local Government Area in Niger State has been plunged into mourning following the tragic death of its chairman, Hon. Danlami Abdullahi Saku, in a fatal car accident on the Minna-Suleja Road. The accident occurred on Tuesday evening at Kwakuti village, a notorious spot on the deteriorating highway.

Hon. Saku was traveling from Minna, the state capital, to Abuja when his vehicle, a newly allocated jeep, collided with a trailer around 7:00 p.m.
Reports indicate that while his body was being transported to a nearby hospital, the rescue vehicle was involved in another accident, leaving four good Samaritans injured.
The Chief Press Secretary to Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Bologi Ibrahim, confirmed the incident in a statement late Tuesday. Governor Bago expressed profound grief over the loss, describing the news as “heartbreaking.”

“This is a reminder of the transient nature of life. All creatures are from Allah, and unto Him, we shall return at the appointed time,” the governor remarked.

He extended condolences to the late chairman’s family, the people of Katcha Local Government Area, and the entire state, urging everyone to remain steadfast in faith and to accept Allah’s will.

The deplorable condition of the Minna-Suleja Road, where the accident occurred, has been a subject of ongoing concern. Governor Bago recently called for the revocation of the contract for the road’s reconstruction, which had been awarded to Salin Nigeria Construction Company in 2010. The 83-kilometer highway, a vital link between Minna and Abuja, has become a death trap due to its disrepair, causing frequent accidents and loss of lives.

Hon. Saku’s death is a significant loss for Katcha Local Government and Niger State as a whole. Residents and colleagues have described him as a dedicated leader whose contributions to his community will not be forgotten.

The late chairman’s passing is a stark reminder of the urgent need for infrastructural improvements to safeguard lives and ensure the safety of travelers across the state.