The Gombe State government has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and participatory governance as it commenced citizens’ engagement in the 2026 budget, providing residents with an opportunity to directly contribute to shaping the state’s fiscal priorities.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum held yesterday at Lin-Mana Events Centre, Tumfure, the deputy governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, said the engagement reflects Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s belief that good governance must be participatory and inclusive of the desires and priorities of the people.
He noted that the event forms a key part of the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in public financial management. According to him, the consultative process has been institutionalised since the inception of the current administration to ensure that every budget cycle begins with active dialogue between government and citizens.
“As a government that values transparency and accountability, we recognise that an effective budget is not merely a financial document, it is the roadmap for delivering the aspirations of our people and a reflection of our collective priorities as a state,” he said.
The deputy governor explained that the engagement provides a platform for traditional leaders, women, youth, civil society organisations, and opinion leaders to make meaningful inputs that will guide decisions on the allocation of scarce public resources.
He emphasised that these contributions will help the government address the real needs of communities in areas such as education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, environment, and human capital development.
He also highlighted Gombe’s achievements in fiscal responsibility, budget discipline, and transparency, noting that the state continues to rank among the top-performing states in Nigeria for good governance and ease of doing business, acknowledging that more work remains to ensure that economic growth translates into inclusive development that benefits every citizen.
He stated that Gombe’s consistent ranking among the top states in fiscal transparency and ease of doing business is a testament to the government’s success in promoting accountability and budget discipline. However, he stressed that more needs to be done to make growth inclusive and sustainable, ensuring no community is left behind.
“As we prepare the 2026 budget, our focus will remain on consolidating ongoing reforms and deepening investments in critical sectors that drive economic growth, job creation, and social welfare,” he added.
Dr Jatau also reiterated the government’s commitment to aligning its budget priorities with the State Development Plan, national frameworks, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He further commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance for organising the engagement and for their efforts in coordinating the state’s fiscal and developmental frameworks.
Representatives of traditional institutions, women, youth, civil society organisations, and opinion leaders who attended the session made submissions on key areas, including education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital development.
