How northwestern states fared in health, education, water expenditure in Q1, 2025
By Aminu Abubakar
A SolaceBase review of expenditures across Northwestern states in the first quarter of 2025 highlights varying levels of government commitment to critical sectors: education, health, and water resources.
The analysis, based on data from six states—Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina—reveals that while education generally attracts the highest share of sectoral allocations, disparities persist in water resource investments and data transparency. Sokoto was not covered due to lack of data availability.
Kano State, the most populous state in the Northwest, reported a total revenue of ₦73.9 billion. Of this, ₦10.5 billion (14.2%) was allocated to education, underscoring a strong emphasis on schooling and learning infrastructure.
Health received ₦7.2 billion (9.7%), while water projects accounted for ₦1.251 billion (1.7%). These figures reflect a modest but consistent prioritisation of public services, though water infrastructure still lags significantly behind.
Jigawa State demonstrated the strongest commitment to education, channelling ₦16.9 billion—31.8% of its ₦53.1 billion total revenue—into the sector. Health followed with ₦8.5 billion (16.0%), and water infrastructure received ₦803.1 million (1.5%).
Jigawa’s relatively high investment in basic education signals a strong policy focus on foundational learning, likely aimed at reducing long-term poverty and youth unemployment.
Kaduna State, although it did not disclose its revenue figures, reported an expenditure of ₦69.661 billion in total. Of this, ₦16.7 billion (24.0%) went to education and ₦7.602 billion (10.9%) to health. Kaduna’s consistent spending on these sectors is aligned with its previous development plans that emphasize human capital investment.
Kebbi State reported revenue of ₦41.1 billion. Health took ₦3.866 billion (9.4%) of the budget, while water received a marginal ₦218.3 million (0.5%).
Zamfara State, with ₦44.5 billion in revenue, allocated ₦7.515 billion (16.9%) to education, science, and technology, and ₦2.010 billion (4.5%) to health.
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Katsina State, which generated ₦64.1 billion, posted the lowest educational expenditure among the sampled states, spending just ₦397.8 million on education—a mere fraction of its budget. Meanwhile, ₦3.332 billion was allocated to health. The underinvestment in education is particularly alarming in a state with a significant youth population and a high number of out-of-school children.
Developmental Issues Facing Northwestern States
Beyond the raw figures, many states in the Northwest grapple with chronic developmental challenges, particularly in water accessibility and basic hygiene. Zamfara State, for instance, faces severe shortages in clean and safe drinking water. According to UNICEF, only about 30% of households in the state have access to basic drinking water services. The majority rely on unsafe sources such as open wells, streams, and seasonal ponds.
During the dry season, many of these sources dry up, forcing families—particularly women and children—to trek as far as five kilometers in search of water. The rainy season brings its own challenges, with flooding and contamination contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) supports these findings. In its Multidimensional Poverty Index, the NBS states that 51% of households in Zamfara lack access to clean drinking water, while a staggering 79% lack access to sanitary facilities. These indicators underscore the urgent need for increased investment in water infrastructure and hygiene services.
Kano State faces similar challenges. According to the NBS, 39% of households in Kano lack access to safe drinking water, and 51% lack sanitary facilities. Several densely populated areas, such as Dala, Fagge, Gwale, Kano Municipal, Kumbotso, Tarauni, Nassarawa, and Ungogo, are among the worst affected by water scarcity. Residents in these neighbourhoods heavily depend on boreholes, the state water board, and private water vendors, making them vulnerable to inconsistent supply and poor-quality water.
In Katsina State, the situation is similarly dire. Deprivation in education is pegged at 38%, while 61% of households lack access to sanitary facilities and 39% lack access to clean water.
The state also has a staggering 6.92 million people living in poverty, further compounding the challenges of development and service delivery. Despite these pressing needs, the state’s meagre investment in education is out of sync with its demographic and developmental realities.
The data from Q1 2025 paints a mixed picture of Northwestern Nigeria’s progress in key social sectors. While education appears to receive the most attention in budgetary allocations, investment in water infrastructure remains worryingly low. The absence of transparent reporting in some states further complicates the ability to assess and address needs effectively. With millions still lacking access to clean water, basic healthcare, and quality education, a more balanced and accountable approach is essential for sustainable development in the region.
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