First three quarters 2025 budget review exposes sharp under-performance in Kano’s water, health, education sectors
By Aminu Abubakar
A SolaceBase review of the Kano State budget performance document covering the first to the third quarter of 2025 has shown that key sectors such as health, education, and water resources recorded below 40% capital budget performance between January and September 2025.
The findings highlight growing concerns about the state’s ability to translate its approved budget into actual development projects.
According to the document, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation had a capital expenditure budget of N4.9 billion, yet only N1.1 billion was spent between January and September 2025, representing 23.3% budget performance.
The Ministry of Water Resources performed even worse. Although it had a capital budget of N21.1 billion, only N2.7 billion had been spent as of September 2025, a mere 13% budget performance.
Similarly, the Ministry of Education recorded 32.2% capital budget performance, spending N17.6 billion out of its N54.9 billion allocation between January and September 2025.
The Ministry of Higher Education performed far below this level: it received N34.6 billion but spent only N2.6 billion, reflecting 7.7% performance.
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The Ministry of Health, despite being a critical sector, also showed major shortcomings. Out of its N65.7 billion capital expenditure budget, only N7.9 billion was spent within the first nine months of 2025, translating to 12.1% budget performance.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources did slightly better but still fell short of expectations. It recorded 31.7% capital budget performance after spending N6.4 billion out of N20.3 billion between January and September 2025.
Agencies Record Even Worse Budget Implementation
Further review shows that some key agencies across ministries performed even more poorly.
One striking example is the Kano State Water Board, which began the year with an approved capital budget of N5.6 billion.
As of September 2025, zero naira had been spent on the Water Board, despite the persistent and well-documented water scarcity across Kano State.
In May 2023, Governor Abba Yusuf had issued a one-week ultimatum to the Water Board’s management to submit their demands. At the time, he emphasized his administration’s commitment to ending the state’s water crisis, stating, “We have declared a state of emergency to tackle the problem of water shortage across the state. “It is imperative that we bring an end to this lingering issue and ensure our citizens have access to clean and adequate water supply.”
However, one year later, in May 2024, reports indicated that residents across numerous local government areas still suffered from acute water scarcity. Areas such as Dala, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Tarauni, Nassarawa, and Ungogo were identified as the worst hit, with residents depending heavily on boreholes, water vendors, and the underperforming state water system.
Historical Patterns of Underperformance in Water Sector
A 2024 budget review revealed that water rehabilitation projects received a budget of N5.4 billion, but only N40.2 million was spent, an example of persistent underinvestment.
Budget performance for the Water Board in previous years shows a troubling pattern:
2024: Budgeted N8.5 billion, spent N1.080 billion, 12.6% performance
2023: Budgeted N8.3 billion, spent N475.4 million, 5.7% performance
Governor Yusuf’s first quarter in office in late 2023 recorded only N53.8 million in spending on the Water Board.
These figures sharply contrast with the administration’s public commitment to resolving the state’s water scarcity.
Health Sector Strained by Poor Funding
Despite the state’s recurring health challenges, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency spent only N1 billion out of its N9.3 billion capital allocation between January and September 2025.
Kano continues to face substantial health burdens. In October 2024, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control stated that a cholera outbreak claimed 45 lives across 28 local government areas. In 2021, the state recorded 329 cholera deaths and more than 11,475 cases, making Kano the second most affected state in Nigeria.
Reports have consistently highlighted that many health centres in the state lack infrastructure, equipment, and skilled personnel, conditions worsened by inadequate capital expenditure.
SolaceBase also reported how failure to invest in water infrastructure undermines healthcare delivery. Poor water access affects hospital sanitation, community hygiene, and disease control.
Kano’s health indicators reflect these challenges. The mortality rate is 109 per 1000 live births, infant mortality is 62 per 1000 live births, and life expectancy stands at about 53 years. Diseases such as cholera continue to recur, and analysts say the poor healthcare system contributes to worsening outcomes.
State Plans a Record N1 Trillion Budget Despite Poor Implementation
Despite its inability to adequately fund capital projects in critical sectors, Kano State is proposing a record N1 trillion allocation for 2025. The contrast between spending ambitions and actual budget implementation in previous years has raised questions about the state’s capacity to execute such an expansive financial plan.
Observers note that without significant improvements in budget discipline, transparency, and execution, the cycle of underperformance may persist, leaving essential sectors underfunded and residents without the services they urgently need.
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