Alarm as Kano Health Budget Execution Plunges, Stakeholders Demand Urgent Legislative Action

Stakeholders under the Kano State Community of Practice (CoP), in partnership with Save the Children International, have raised alarm over a sharp decline in health budget performance in Kano State, urging lawmakers to take immediate action to address funding gaps in immunisation and primary healthcare.

The concerns were presented during an advocacy visit to the Kano State House of Assembly, aimed at strengthening collaboration between civil society groups and legislators to improve healthcare service delivery across the state.

Findings from the 2025 Health and Immunisation Budget Tracking Exercise, conducted under the Boost Project, revealed significant lapses in budget implementation, fund releases, and transparency within the health sector. The report showed that health budget execution dropped drastically from 86 per cent in 2024 to just 10.1 per cent in 2025. Similarly, releases to the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board fell from 135 per cent to 4.9 per cent within the same period.
The analysis also indicated a decline in the health sector’s share of the state budget, alongside reduced efficiency in the utilisation of immunisation funds despite increased allocations.

Stakeholders expressed concerns over poor financial transparency, irregular reporting, and weak alignment between approved budgets and actual releases. They stressed the need for increased domestic funding and stronger systems to support routine immunisation.

The group called on lawmakers to enhance oversight, ensure timely fund disbursement, and support the development of a comprehensive immunisation policy.

Responding, Deputy Clerk of the Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Jagaji, assured the delegation of the Assembly’s commitment to addressing the challenges and strengthening accountability mechanisms in the sector.