Kogi governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Tuesday presented the 2025 budget proposal of the state to the House of Assembly. Tagged “budget of inclusive development” the N582.4 billion budget is the first annual appropriation bill presentation by the Governor to the House of Assembly since he assumed office about 11 months ago.
Targeted towards actualising the state’s 32-year development plan and enhanced accountability, Ododo noted that the 2025 budget proposal is divided into Recurrent Expenditure of N279,590,215,687 representing 48.01 per cent, and Capital Expenditure of N302,813,903,802 representing 51.99 per cent.
The total budget expenditure outlay includes: Administration – N120, 047,367,416 (20.61%); Economic – N227,829,142,196 (39.12%); Law & Justice – N23,754,514,351 (4.08%); and Social – N210,782,095,526 (36.19%).
The governor noted that the budget was aimed at promoting economic growth, reduce financial burdens, and create a more attractive business environment for investors and partners in the state.
Ododo explained that the total budget package for 2025 was N582,404,119,489 as against N406,321,130,013 approved in the Revised budget for 2024, with an increase of N176,082,989 or 43.34 per cent.
While appraising the performance of 2024 Revised Budget Ododo said: “a total sum of N175,766,768,891 was approved for recurrent expenditure in 2024 out of which N130,784,676,462.17 was spent as of Sept. 2024, representing 74.41 per cent performance.
“The approved capital expenditure for 2024 was N230,554,361,200 out which the sum of N86,138,756,.48 was expended as of September 2924, representing 37.36 per cent performance.”
Ododo stressed that the 2025 budget would focus on social protection interventions, rural infrastructure development, agricultural development, SME support, alternative energy options, and new partnerships.
He added that the state government had developed a 32-year State Development Plan, with the theme: “Shared Hope and Prosperity,” designed to transform Kogi into a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable economy.
Ododo commended the House of Assembly for doing excellent service to the people of Kogi and praised the former governor Yahaya Bello for laying solid developmental foundation for the state.
He, therefore, urged the assembly members to ensure a robust deliberation on the budget and and to ensure timely approval
Earlier, the Speaker, Kogi House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Umar Yusuf assured the governor of the continued support of the lawmakers and promised to give the budget speedy consideration and passage.
The Speaker, however, urged the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government to cooperate fully with the relevant committees during the budget defence process.
“As representatives of the people, it is our sacred duty to scrutinize the budget proposals to ensure they reflect the financial plan, vision, priorities, and commitment of the State Government.
