Gombe State Government has outspent neigbouring Bauchi State on education in the first quarter (Q1) of the 2025 fiscal year.
WikkiTimes review of the Q1 budget performance reports of the states show wide disparity in their expenditures in their respective education ministries.
According to the report, Gombe State’s education spending amounted to N8.3 billion within the period which represents 25.1% of the ministry’s N33.2 billion allocation.
WikkiTimes reports that the state had earlier approved a N369.9 billion budget for 2025 appropriation.
However, the Bauchi State‘s budget performance for the Q1 of the 2025 fiscal year, shows that it had spent N5.4 billion in the first three months out of the N39.4 billion allocation to the Ministry of Education, representing 13.9%. The state has a projected expenditure of N467 billion for the year.
The documents, analysed by WikkiTimes, reveal that while both states budgeted generously for education, actual spending on the sector remains low in Bauchi, where the education ministry implemented only 13.9% of its allocated funds. This performance is far less than 25% government should have utilised in the first quarter as obtained in Gombe.
SSGs’ Offices
However, the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government (SSG) had already utilised N7.4 billion which is equivalent to 50.3% of its N14.8 billion allocation for the year.
In contrast, Gombe SSG’s office, with an allocation of N6.5 billion, spent N1.3 billion, showing a 20.8% performance.
Development experts argue that the expenditures in education sector, though not for the full year, implies priority of the states within the time frame.
WikkiTimes repeatedly reports the rot in education in Bauchi is widespread which affects quality education. Conversely, the state’s spending prioritises bureaucratic expenses which misaligned with its development needs as the state still holds millions of out of school children.
The trend also reflects a governance culture where the comfort and operations of the executive arm are consistently favoured over pressing public needs.
This finding contradicts Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State’s repeated claims to prioritise education, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
