The Sokoto State Government has announced plans to regularly consult traditional rulers to identify the most urgent needs of their communities and ensure development projects address the challenges residents face.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Bashir Muhammad Achida, disclosed this during the 2027 Budget Town Hall Discussion for Sokoto East Senatorial District, held in Wurno Local Government Area on Friday.
Achida said the consultations would be coordinated by the state Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which oversees economic planning and coordinates the activities of development partners working across the state.
He explained that the initiative is intended to ensure that interventions by development organisations reflect the actual needs of communities rather than being implemented without sufficient knowledge of local priorities.
According to the commissioner, regular engagement with traditional institutions would also help prevent duplication of projects and reduce the risk of resources being spent on interventions that do not address the most pressing needs of residents.
He added that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had revamped the ministry to strengthen its capacity to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
The planned consultations are expected to give traditional rulers a more regular channel to communicate community needs to the government and development partners.
Traditional institutions often maintain close contact with residents and local leaders, placing them in a position to identify challenges relating to essential services, infrastructure and livelihoods.
The government’s proposed approach is intended to improve coordination among organisations supporting development projects and help direct interventions towards areas where communities need them most.
However, the impact of the initiative will depend on how the needs identified during consultations are prioritised, funded and translated into completed projects.
The announcement was made during a town hall meeting designed to gather citizens’ views for the preparation of Sokoto State’s 2027 budget.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Buhari Umar, urged participants to clearly outline their communities’ needs for consideration in the budget process.
He welcomed the participation of traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations, young people, women and persons with disabilities.
Umar also announced plans for a grand finale where submissions gathered during the consultations would be presented and additional contributions received to refine the draft budget before it is submitted to the State Executive Council for consideration.
The commissioner commended the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the European Union for supporting the town hall initiative.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was represented at the meeting by the District Head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Chigari Alhassan. The representative acknowledged the state government’s recognition of traditional institutions.
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Sokoto State, Alhaji Abba Shehu Tambuwal, also commended the initiative.
As preparations for the 2027 budget continue, the consultations are expected to help consolidate community proposals and inform decisions on development priorities across Sokoto State.