The Association of Zamfara Civil Society Organizations (AZCSO) has fiercely criticized the 2025 budget presented by Governor Dauda Lawal, describing it as “economic recklessness” due to its heavy dependence on loans and federal allocations to bridge a wide revenue-expenditure gap.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Murtala Muhammad Maru, the group raised alarms over the sustainability of the N546 billion budget.
“With a revenue base of N32 billion, the reliance on loans and federal allocations to fund this budget is a clear red flag for economic stability,” Maru stated.
The proposed budget anticipates internally generating only 5.8% of its total revenue, with federal allocations expected to contribute N223 billion. Data shows that between January and September 2024, Zamfara generated just N18 billion in internal revenue, underscoring the state’s limited financial capacity.
Despite these concerns, Governor Lawal has already signed the budget into law, touting its focus on key sectors such as security, education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture. He defended the ambitious spending plan, arguing it is essential to tackle the state’s developmental needs.
However, critics, including AZCSO and opposition parties, have warned that the state’s growing reliance on external borrowing could lead to a fiscal crisis. “Borrowing recklessly to fund extravagant projects will only worsen the plight of Zamfara’s citizens,” Maru cautioned.
Zamfara’s economic woes are exacerbated by widespread insecurity and poverty. Analysts have urged the government to prioritize increasing its internally generated revenue (IGR) through measures such as taxation reforms, industrial development, and job creation.
Civil society groups have called for greater fiscal discipline, warning that without a strategic shift, the state risks falling deeper into debt and jeopardizing its long-term stability.
