By George Coben, Bauchi
According to recent fiscal data highlighted by BudgIT, Bauchi State’s 20 LGAs reportedly generated an impressive #7.5 billion in internally generated revenue, IGR, in 2024.
This feat places the state at the top of the national ranking among states whose local governments reported revenue generation.
Such achievement has been described as not merely a statistic but a testament to leadership, institutional reforms, accountability, and deliberate effort to build a viable economy from the grassroots, as galvanized by the Governor Bala Mohammed’s led administration.
The age-long belief that local governments across the country are largely administrative extensions dependent on monthly allocations from the federation account, with the councils lacking capacity, structures, and economic base to generate revenue independently have been challenged with the emergence of the state as the highest performing local governments revenue generator in the country.
This demonstrates that with vision, commitment, and proper governance structures, local councils can become engines of development rather than mere recipients of federal allocations.
The 20 LGAs have collectively produced a result that now commands national recognition through improved revenue administration, enhanced economic activities, strengthened market systems, and prudent governance pursued by the Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration since assuming office in 2019.
There has been heavy investment in infrastructure, agriculture, commerce, urban renewal, rural development, and empowerment programmes that have stimulated economic activities across the state.
These interventions have broadened the revenue base available to local governments with the result now evident in numbers.
Revenue generated at the local level translates into greater capacity to provide basic services , maintain infrastructure, support community projects, and address local developmental needs.
At a time when many states are grappling with questions about local government effectiveness, Bauchi State offers a practical example of what is possible when governance is anchored on reform, accountability and economic expansion.
This accomplishment should serve as a motivation to do more, to sustain the momentum, strenghten transparency mechanisms, expand the tax net without burdening citizens, support businesses, and ensure that every naira generated translates into visible development for the people.
