Gov AbdulRazaq Reiterates Commitment To People-Focussed Budgeting

...As he engages citizens for the 2027 budget process

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Tuesday said his government remains committed to building a state where no community is left behind and where development reaches every corner of Kwara.

Noting that governance belongs to the people, the Governor said the administration continues to impact the lives of the citizens by hugely investing in programmes and projects that are people-focused.

The Governor made the remark in Osi, Ekiti Local Government Area, at a Citizens Engagement for the 2027 Budget Preparation Process, as organised by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.

AbdulRazaq said for any fiscal plan to deliver meaningful impact, it must directly reflect the life experiences, priorities, and voices of our citizens across the state, hence the interface.

“I assure you that every contribution made during this engagement will receive due consideration,” he said.

“When we came in 2019, we made a promise that our government would be open, transparent, and people-centred. Today’s citizens’ engagement is one more proof of that promise. A budget is not just figures on paper but a reflection of our collective priorities, our hopes, and our plan to make life better for every Kwaran.”

The Governor was represented by the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde.

Pointing out his achievements in the critical infrastructure in the last seven years, including roads, education, health, and social safety nets, AbdulRazaq promised to do more to better the lives of the people.

He said the state has witnessed one of the most remarkable infrastructure renewal programmes in its history, with hundreds of kilometres of urban and rural roads so far constructed or rehabilitated.

“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. That is why we continue to hold these multi-stakeholder consultations across our three Senatorial Districts, to hear directly from you where the shoe pinches,” he said.

“Our urban renewal initiatives have transformed the landscape of Ilorin and other major towns. Landmark projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of township roads, Kwara Hotels, Innovation Hub, Civil Service Clinic, International Conference Centre, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service office, Finance House, and several other strategic road networks, have improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, and boosted commercial activities.

“We have equally invested heavily in education, because we believe that the future of Kwara depends on the quality of education our children receive today. Hundreds of public schools have been renovated, remodelled, or built anew, modern teaching methods have been introduced through digital technology, thousands of teachers have received training, and learning outcomes have significantly improved.”

The Governor also mentioned his support for the security agencies by providing them with logistics, operational vehicles, communication equipment, and other critical resources to strengthen safety and security of lives and property across the state.

It was attended by the Kwara House of Assembly member representing Oke-Ero Constituency, Hon Kuti Bamigboye; State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Afolashade Opeyemi; Council Chairmen for Ekiti, Oke Ero, Offa, Oyun, Irepodun, Isin, and Ifelodun Local Governments, the Olupo of Ajase-ipo Oba Ismail Yahya Alebiosu; Olomu of Omu-Aran Oba Raheem Adeoti; the Olosi of Osi, Oba Saliu Abdulkareem Adasofegbe Arowobeku l; Head of Osi Campus of the State University (KWASU), Prof. Binta Ajibola Sulyman; religious leaders, and civil society groups.

Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Arinde, whose address was delivered by Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Mrs Medinat Mohammed Ajao, said the event demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the administration to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

She said since the assumption of office, the government has institutionalised participatory budgeting, ensuring that the voices of citizens remain central to its planning and how it allocates resources.

“As we commence the formulation of the 2027 Budget, this forum is designed to achieve the bottom-up priority goal by hearing directly from grassroots communities, trade groups, youth, women, and civil societies regarding the specific infrastructure, social services, and economic interventions most needed in their localities,” the Commissioner said.

All Council Chairmen, who spoke at the session, took turns to highlight the scorecards of the administration in their domains, hailed the Governor for his purposeful leadership, and requested the government to consider their other requests in the next budget, especially infrastructure projects.

Olupo and Olosi, in their remarks, commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his transformation agenda and its impacts across communities, praying God to grant him more success.

Olupo, however, buttressed the calls by some stakeholders on the need for the government to intensify efforts on fixing some of the federal roads in Kwara South, which he said are in a deplorable condition.

He advised the state government to rehabilitate these roads even if it will tag it a palliative, saying this step will relieve the residents who mostly ply them.

Chairman, Offa Descendants Union (OSU), Chief Tajudeen Shitu, hailed Governor AbdulRazaq for acceding to most of their infrastructural needs in Offa, with particular reference to the Eiyenkonrin/Offa/Eruku road network.

In their separate remarks, Elder Aina Felix (Ekiti) and Hon Taiye Ogunniyi from Oke-Ero identified the deplorable condition of most of their roads as one of the factors responsible for security challenges, appealing to the government to assist in fixing them.

Alhaji Samsudeen Aregbe, Director of Budget, in his presentation, said the government achieved 93.5% budget performance in 2025, saying this reflects its commitment to making life comfortable for people of the state.