Writing By Khadijah Aliyu ; Editing By Godwin Duru
Citizens have called on the Kano State Government to prioritize erosion control, renovation of schools and roads, and upgrading of primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in the 2026 fiscal year to address pressing developmental needs across the state.
These demands were presented during a town hall meeting on citizens’ inputs and engagement for the 2026 budget, held at the Murtala Muhammad Library, Kano.
The meeting was organized by the Kano State Ministry of Planning and Budget (MPoB) in collaboration with the Kano Budget Working Group, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure citizens’ participation in the state’s budgeting process.
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Kano Children’s Parliament, Hauwa’u Muhammad Ibrahim, highlighted key challenges identified by citizens in Nasarawa Local Government Area, including issues affecting persons with disabilities (PWDs), girl-child education, and poor healthcare delivery at local PHCs.
She noted that some of the previous year’s recommendations from the LGA had already been implemented by the state government, reflecting steady progress in citizen inclusion.
Also speaking, the Ward Head of Gama, Alhaji Rabi’u Isiyaku, appealed to the government to ensure a citizens-oriented budget by integrating community priorities into the 2026 fiscal plan.
The co-chair CSOs, Comrade Salisu Yusuf, said the town hall meetings were designed to make the citizens’ budget a reality by giving residents an opportunity to share their aspirations directly with policymakers.
He added that similar engagements had been conducted across the three senatorial districts of the state in line with global best practices, assuring that CSOs would follow due process in submitting citizens’ priorities to the government.
In his remarks, the Chief Planning Officer of MPoB, Mustapha Sani, reaffirmed government’s commitment to inclusive governance, describing the initiative as part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in the budget .
According to the organizers, a public hearing will be held after the formal presentation of the 2026 budget to allow for further public scrutiny and ensure that citizens’ voices are reflected in the final document.
Radio Nigeria reports that the townhall brought together a diverse group of participants, including traditional leaders, youth representatives, women, and CSOs, all contributing to the ongoing 2026 budget planning process in Kano State.
COV/Khadijah Aliyu
