Investigation: Despite N449m streetlight project, Ilorin South communities remain in darkness
In 2025, Ilorin South Local Government Area says the sum of ₦449,524,190.12 was spent on the procurement and installation of streetlights across major communities, according to the council’s financial document.
The project, captured under the heading: ‘provision of streetlights’, was intended to improve security, boost night-time economic activities, and enhance road safety.
However, site visits and interviews with residents suggest a sharp disconnect between official claims and realities on the ground. Residents across several communities in the Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State also told The Informant247 that they have not seen any evidence of the project’s execution.
‘We live in darkness.’
In Sango, a densely populated area within Ilorin South, residents say the absence of streetlights has become a daily risk. Abdullahi Sadiq, a shop owner, said he closes his business early due to poor visibility.
“There is no single streetlight here,” he said. “Once it is dark, everywhere becomes risky. We hear about government projects, but nothing like that has reached us.”
In Oko-Olowo, another resident, Kudirat Musa, described similar conditions. “If there are streetlights in Ilorin South, they are not in this area,” she said. “At night, everywhere is dark. We use torchlights and phone lights to move around.”
She added that the situation has worsened the insecurity. “People are afraid to come out at night. Even small businesses suffer because customers cannot stay out late.”
In Balogun Fulani, Musa Jimoh, a commercial motorcyclist, said poor lighting has made night travel dangerous. “I work at night sometimes, but it is very risky,” he said. “There are no streetlights here. If that kind of money was spent, we are not seeing it.”
No physical evidence despite spending
A review of Ilorin South LGA’s financial documents shows that ₦449,524,190.12 was allocated and reportedly spent on streetlight procurement and installation.
However, physical inspections in selected communities revealed no installations commensurate with the reported expenditure.
In all locations visited, this newspaper did not observe streetlight poles, solar panels, wiring, or any infrastructure suggesting recent government intervention. Residents interviewed said they had not witnessed any installation activity.
Another project in question: N210m police post
Further review of the council’s financial records shows that ₦210 million was released for the construction of a police post in Ayelabowo.
Under the item titled “Construction of Police Post at Ayelabowo” (23020101 – Construction/Provision of Office, 12310704 – Akanbi IV), the council recorded a full-year expenditure of ₦210,000,000 in 2025.
The documents also indicate that an additional ₦37,013,236.86 has been proposed for the same project in the 2026 budget.
However, checks by The Informant247 found no completed police posts linked to the 2025 expenditure in the community.
Residents recount insecurity, self-funded effort.
The chairman of Ayelabowo community, Alhaji Tajudeen, said residents had repeatedly appealed to the council to construct a police post without success.
“We have been facing serious security challenges. Last year, a man was killed after his daughter was raped,” he said.
He added that the influx of unfamiliar individuals into the area has heightened fears. “We have many new faces coming into the community, and this has increased security concerns. That is why we need a police post,” he said.
According to him, residents eventually began contributing funds to initiate the project themselves.
“When the local government did not respond, and insecurity worsened, we started contributing money to begin construction. We had to stop halfway because we could no longer sustain it,” he said.
He described the community as largely neglected. “At this point, we have no government presence. No police post, no streetlight, no infrastructure, nothing,” he added.
‘I am not aware’ – Council chairman.
However, the chairman of Ilorin South Local Government Council, Nuhu Majeed Podo, confirmed that the council neither installed streetlights nor built a police post in 2025.
Asked how the ₦210 million police post and the ₦449 million streetlight project expenditure appeared in the council’s records, he said he was not aware.
Rising insecurity backdrop
The findings come amid worsening insecurity in Kwara State.
Data obtained by the International Center for Investigative Reporting from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project show that between January 1 and November 7, 2025, at least 207 people were killed in the state, including 84 civilians.
Within the same period, 177 persons were abducted, with the highest numbers recorded in Ifelodun, Pategi, Kaima, Irepodun, and Osi local government areas.
For 2026, records reviewed by The Informant247 indicate that no fewer than 200 people have already been killed.
The neighbouring Oko-Olowo community also recorded incidents of kidnapping and other security breaches in 2025, reinforcing residents’ concerns about the absence of basic security infrastructure.
The Informant247 had earlier reported that the council spent about ₦110 million on purchasing official vehicles for the chairman, his deputy, and the speaker in 2025.
This report was published with support fronm Civic Media Lab
