The Kano State Government has allocated N2.5 billion for the execution of mass weddings across the state as part of its 2025 budget. The initiative, which will be conducted quarterly across all 44 local government areas, aims to support less privileged individuals seeking marriage.
The Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Musa Sulaiman Shanono, disclosed this while addressing journalists on the breakdown of the state’s approved N719.7 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
Shanono stated that the allocation reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the vulnerable, particularly young women and widows, by facilitating their marriages through organized mass wedding programs.
The mass wedding scheme, which was first introduced by former Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, was revived by Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration in 2023, when over 1,800 couples were married at the cost of N854 million.
Beyond the mass wedding initiative, the Kano government has also allocated N6.2 billion to the education sector, with N4 billion designated for free education and N2.2 billion for the school feeding program.
According to Shanono, education received the largest share of the budget, with an allocation of N205.9 billion, representing 29% of the total budget size.
He emphasized that the government remains committed to human capital development through continuous investment in education.
The commissioner described the 2025 budget, tagged “Budget of Hope, Human Capital, and Economic Development,” as a consolidation of policies aimed at fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for Kano residents.
He explained that the initial budget proposal of N549.1 billion was reviewed by the State House of Assembly and later increased to N719.7 billion following legislative scrutiny.
Shanono noted that the budget was increased by N170.6 billion, equivalent to a 31% rise, after the Assembly’s review process.
He added that the upward revision was driven by improved revenue expectations, particularly from FAAC allocations following the removal of fuel subsidies.
The 2025 budget consists of N262.6 billion in recurrent expenditure and N457 billion in capital expenditure, maintaining a 36:64 ratio.
The state’s projected revenue stands at N617 billion, comprising N85.8 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) and N531 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). While the recurrent revenue represents a 62.5% increase compared to 2024, the projected IGR is lower by 15.8%, reflecting a decrease of N16 billion.
Shanono further explained that N91.3 billion has been set aside for various social sector programs. The government also plans to continue its free afternoon meal program in primary schools, which has been allocated N500 million. Meanwhile, the mass wedding initiative will proceed with a dedicated budget of N2.5 billion.
He reaffirmed that the budget aligns with the administration’s commitment to enhancing social welfare, economic stability, and educational opportunities.
According to him, the strategic allocations are aimed at uplifting Kano residents through targeted interventions in education, social welfare, and economic empowerment.
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