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.

***as Philanthropist Decries Nigeria’s Decline

In a remarkable display of philanthropy, over 2,000 patients in Kontagora, Niger State, received free medical care courtesy of the Sani Bello Foundation, as former Kano State Military Administrator, Colonel Sani Bello (Rtd), marked his 82nd birthday.
Rather than hosting a lavish celebration, Bello dedicated the milestone to addressing the healthcare needs of underserved Nigerians.

The five-day outreach, organized in collaboration with Graceland Healthcare Foundation, provided surgeries for ailments such as fibroids, hernias, goitres, and eye diseases. More than 600 surgeries were performed, alongside the free distribution of 1,255 medications and 1,000 eyeglasses.
Speaking at the event, Bello expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s deteriorating infrastructure, healthcare system, and rising insecurity.
“In the 1970s, I could drive from Lagos to Kontagora in six hours, but today, even reaching Ilorin in that time is impossible,” he lamented.
“We are wealthier in resources but poorer in values. Dishonesty has become rampant, and leadership has failed the people.”
He also highlighted the alarming state of security. “During the civil war, I could travel without fear. Today, the threat of banditry and kidnapping is everywhere. It’s heartbreaking to see how much we’ve regressed.”
Bello urged affluent Nigerians to support the less privileged, emphasizing that giving back brings more joy than grand celebrations.
“Seeing smiles on the faces of those we help is the greatest reward. It’s my way of contributing to the society that shaped me,” he said.

Reflecting on the state of the nation, Bello posed a critical question: “Where did we go wrong? Why are we not making progress? We must wake up and rebuild our nation.”

Impact Beyond Celebration
Marking the 11th anniversary of the Sani Bello Foundation, the outreach underscored the power of philanthropy in addressing Nigeria’s pressing healthcare challenges. As Bello puts it, “Every smile we bring is a step toward restoring hope.”