By Aminu Abubakar
A review of Bauchi State‘s 2025 first-quarter budget performance by SolaceBase has revealed spending patterns that have sparked concerns over government priorities amid ongoing socio-economic challenges.
Despite rising debt levels and pressing development needs, the state government spent a total of N954 million on foodstuffs and catering materials within just three months.
During the same period, the state borrowed N26.1 billion to finance its activities—N17.1 billion from domestic sources and N9 billion from international lenders. These loans have contributed to the state’s growing debt burden, with the Debt Management Office (DMO) ranking Bauchi as the fifth most indebted state in Nigeria in terms of domestic debt, which currently stands at N143 billion.
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Bauchi’s total government expenditure in the first quarter amounted to N11.2 billion. A significant portion of this spending went to recurrent costs. For instance, N173.5 million was used for refreshments and meals at official functions, and N793 million was allocated for honorariums and sitting allowances for political appointees and officials. These figures stand in stark contrast to the amounts channeled toward basic services and infrastructure.
In the face of frequent flooding and environmental degradation across communities, only N35.4 million was spent on erosion and flood control. Public education fared little better, with N855 million directed toward the rehabilitation and repair of public schools. Access to clean water remained underfunded as well, with N436 million allocated for the rehabilitation and maintenance of water facilities.
These spending choices are raising serious questions in a state plagued by developmental deficits. Bauchi has some of the worst human development indicators in Nigeria. Over 54 percent of children are out of school, indicating a crisis in the education sector. Sixty-five percent of households in the state do not have access to sanitary facilities, and 48 percent lack clean drinking water. Despite these stark realities, large sums continue to be allocated to expenses seen as non-essential or administrative luxuries.
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The implications of these choices go beyond figures on a budget report. Analysts warn that unless a deliberate shift in budgetary priorities occurs, Bauchi risks falling deeper into a development trap. The state’s rising debt profile—coupled with underinvestment in critical sectors—may lead to long-term economic stagnation and further social inequality. Critics argue that public funds should be channeled toward sectors that can yield tangible benefits for the population, such as education, healthcare, rural infrastructure, and water and sanitation services.
Recall that Civil Society Organisations have begun to call for more transparency and accountability in the state’s budgeting process. Some have advocated for participatory budgeting frameworks that include the voices of ordinary citizens, particularly those in underserved rural areas. Others have called for pushing independent oversight of budget implementation to ensure that public spending aligns with the state’s most urgent needs.
With three more quarters to go in the 2025 fiscal year, it is unclear whether the Bauchi State Government will realign its priorities.
The conversation is no longer just about numbers—it’s about whether governance in Bauchi can rise to meet the needs of its people in a time of growing urgency.
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