Neglecting Human Development: The Bauchi Budget and Its Dire Implications By Yasir Shehu Adam

The recently signed 2025 Bauchi State budget reveals a troubling narrative of misplaced priorities under Governor Bala Muhammad’s administration. At its core lies a staggering N29.8 billion allocated for debt servicing, eclipsing the N26.3 billion earmarked for the capital expenditure of the Ministry of Education. This glaring imbalance underscores a persistent failure to prioritize essential human development sectors such as education, healthcare, and social welfare.

Debt servicing alone accounts for 59.72% of the state’s projected internally generated revenue (IGR) of N49.9 billion for 2025. This is not an isolated occurrence—it reflects a recurring trend where significant resources are channeled into debt repayment at the expense of vital public services. In 2023, for instance, an alarming 80% of Bauchi’s IGR was consumed by debt servicing, leaving minimal funds for critical investments.

The education sector, a cornerstone of societal development, continues to suffer neglect. In 2025, its capital expenditure falls short of what is allocated to debt repayment. This disparity paints a grim picture of an administration unwilling to invest in the intellectual growth of future generations.

Healthcare is another victim of these budgetary choices. Reports from WikkiTimes reveal that only 11% of Bauchi State’s hospitals have medical doctors—a damning statistic for a state facing dire health challenges. How can such a situation be justified while the government diverts billions to debt servicing? The consequences are felt daily by citizens who struggle to access basic medical care.

While borrowing can be a strategic tool for development when used judiciously, Bauchi State’s rising debt profile has yet to yield tangible benefits. Infrastructure projects that could generate revenue and create jobs remain underfunded or delayed, deepening economic hardships for its people.

To reverse this trend, the government must take urgent action. Expanding the IGR base through improved tax administration and diversifying revenue streams is essential. Borrowing should be limited to projects with clear economic and social returns, ensuring that loans serve as catalysts for growth rather than a burden on future generations.

In 2023, I published an article in The Nation calling on the Bauchi State Government to prioritize education, healthcare, and food security. While the administration dismissed my concerns, the evidence remains undeniable. The WikkiTimes report once again highlights the same issues: the government’s persistent neglect of its citizens’ fundamental needs.

Education and healthcare are not luxuries; they are basic rights. A government that fails to invest in its people’s intellectual and physical well-being fails in its most fundamental duty. The citizens of Bauchi deserve more than policies that prioritize debt repayment over human development.

The path forward is clear. Bauchi State must re-evaluate its budgetary priorities to ensure that education and healthcare receive the attention they deserve. Investing in human capital is not only a moral obligation but also a prerequisite for sustainable development.

This article is not merely a critique; it is a call to action. I urge the Bauchi State Government to listen to its people and prioritize their needs. The future of Bauchi depends on it.

This Article Was Penned By Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman) Young Journalist and Writer from Bauchi.