Speaking at a bi-monthly press conference hosted at the Deputy Governor’s official residence, Anas emphasized the urgent need for Katsina to diversify its income streams. He stressed that boosting internally generated revenue (IGR) is critical to achieving fiscal sustainability and reducing reliance on unpredictable federal funds. The commissioner pointed out that without a stronger IGR framework, the state remains at the mercy of broader economic conditions, which could disrupt essential services and development projects.
During the briefing, Anas also disclosed troubling findings about the performance of several state agencies. A review of the 2025 budget implementation revealed that 44 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) had alarmingly low execution rates. Among these, the Finance Ministry itself recorded a performance rate of just 49.99 percent, barely meeting half of its targets. Other underperforming entities included the Katsina State Scholarship Board, which achieved 49.61 percent of its budget goals, and the Office of the Economic Adviser, which managed only 47.52 percent. Shockingly, the State Audit Service Commission reported zero percent implementation, indicating a complete failure to utilize allocated funds.
Anas did not shy away from naming the underperforming agencies, noting that even the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning—tasked with overseeing fiscal discipline—was among those struggling, with a 49.99 percent performance rate. This revelation raises questions about the state’s capacity to enforce accountability and efficiency across its institutions. However, the commissioner also highlighted a few bright spots: the Katsina Sharia Court of Appeal and the Board of Internal Revenue both achieved 100 percent budget implementation, setting a benchmark for other agencies to follow.
The commissioner’s remarks underscored a broader challenge facing many Nigerian states: the struggle to wean themselves off federal allocations and build robust, self-sustaining economies. Anas reiterated that the Katsina government is prioritizing strategies to expand revenue sources, including improving tax collection, leveraging untapped economic sectors, and tightening fiscal management. He warned that without these measures, the state’s ability to fund critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare would remain precarious.
The press conference served as both a candid assessment of Katsina’s financial health and a call to action for its agencies. Anas urged MDAs to adopt stricter accountability measures and improve their budget execution rates, emphasizing that fiscal responsibility is non-negotiable for the state’s progress. His statements also hinted at potential reforms, such as performance-based funding or sanctions for consistently underperforming agencies.
Observers note that Katsina’s predicament reflects a nationwide issue, where states’ over-reliance on federal allocations stifles local innovation and economic resilience. While some states have made strides in IGR—through agriculture, tourism, or technology—others, like Katsina, lag behind. Anas’s transparency about the challenges is seen as a positive step, but stakeholders argue that concrete policies, not just warnings, are needed to drive change.
As Katsina grapples with these fiscal hurdles, the spotlight remains on its leadership to deliver solutions. The commissioner’s disclosure of widespread underperformance among MDAs adds urgency to the situation, suggesting that systemic inefficiencies may be deeper than previously acknowledged. Moving forward, the state’s ability to diversify revenue and enforce accountability will determine whether it can break free from the cycle of dependency and achieve sustainable growth.
