Kwara govt concludes 2027 budget consultations as residents seek more roads, community projects

…Gov AbdulRazaq promises more inclusive budgeting as state records 93.5% 2025 budget performance

Kwara State Government has concluded its citizens’ engagements for the 2027 budget, with residents and community leaders calling for more roads, interlocking projects, market solar lighting and other infrastructure across the state.

The final session, held for residents of Kwara Central Senatorial District at the Banquet Hall in Ilorin on Tuesday, followed earlier engagements in Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area, and Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area, for Kwara South and North respectively.

Speaking at the Ilorin session, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, said the open budget process was designed to incorporate citizens’ priorities into the state’s fiscal plans.

He said the administration had continued to engage residents and stakeholders across communities to understand their needs and improve living conditions.

“Since the inception of this administration, we have maintained that a budget should never be a mere administrative routine or a closed-door exercise. Governance belongs to the people and for any fiscal plan to deliver meaningful impact, it must directly reflect the life experiences, priorities and voices of our citizens across the state,” AbdulRazaq said.

The governor said the 2027 budget provided another opportunity to consolidate the administration’s infrastructure and capital projects across the state.

At the session, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, called for the interlocking of more communities within Ilorin West, while also requesting the renovation of mini-palaces of some traditional chiefs in the Ilorin Emirate and installation of solar lights in markets within the local government.

Vice Chairmen of Asa, Ilorin South and Ilorin East local governments, as well as the Director of Personnel Management of Ilorin West LGA, also appealed for more road construction and rehabilitation in their respective areas.

Other community representatives similarly requested additional development projects to be captured in the 2027 appropriation.

The Director of Budget in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Alhaji Samsudeen Aregbe, disclosed that the state recorded 93.5 per cent budget performance in 2025.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof Mamman Saba Jubril, represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Service, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Shuaib, described the engagement as part of efforts to deepen participatory governance.

He said effective governance required government to listen to residents and incorporate their views into policies and programmes.

The Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, represented by the Director, Personnel, Finance and Supply, Hajia Madinat Ajao, said the state had institutionalised participatory budgeting to ensure citizens’ views remained central to planning and resource allocation.

The engagements brought together government officials, local government representatives, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, development partners, women and youth groups, persons living with disabilities and media representatives.

The exercise was organised by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development as part of the state’s preparation of the 2027 budget.