Sokoto to spend ₦8.4bn on central market reconstruction

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The Sokoto State Government has approved ₦8.4 billion for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Sokoto Central Market.

The approval was given on Thursday during the State Executive Council meeting, where the project was described as crucial to restoring commercial activities disrupted by the fire incident that destroyed the market a few years ago.

Announcing the decision while briefing newsmen shortly after the 16th state executive council meeting at the council chambers, Government House, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, said the contract would be executed by 38 contractors, all selected from the Sokoto business community.

“Council approved the reconstruction of the market at a cost of ₦8,499,855,347. The state government will fully fund the project to ensure the market regains its past economic prominence,” Dantsoho said.

He added that the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, had made a campaign promise to rebuild the market, which remains the state’s largest commercial hub.

In the same meeting, the Council also approved the draft 2026 budget for onward submission to the State House of Assembly.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Zayyana, said the document was prepared using the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, which he described as a reliable tool for achieving a transparent and predictable fiscal plan.

“Council deliberated on the proposal and approved it for transmission to the House of Assembly,” he said.

Additionally, the Council sanctioned a contract for the construction of a new administrative block and the renovation of existing structures at the Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sambo Bello Danchadi, said the project—valued at ₦469,140,662.28 and awarded to Assist-Me Solution General Services Ltd—is expected to be completed within six months, with a 50% mobilisation payment and no allowance for variation.

The approvals reflect the government’s drive to strengthen commercial infrastructure and improve administrative services across the state.

In September, the Council approved a technical amendment to the 2025 public budget.

Zayanna explained that the adjustment was made to create a more “realistic and intentional budgeting system” aligned with public financial management guidelines and stakeholder priorities.

She clarified that the amendment does not change the ₦526.88 billion budget size earlier approved for 2025.

Instead, a total of ₦38.81 billion was redistributed from under-utilised allocations to critical sectors to enhance overall budget performance.

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