By Muyideen Aliyu, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reaffirmed that the state’s 2026 budget will reflect the genuine needs of citizens, stressing that government planning without community input amounts to “planning to fail.”
The Governor gave the assurance on Thursday during the concluding session of the 2026 citizens’ budget engagement at Ilemona in Oyun Local Government Area. He was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Princess Olubukola Babalola.
AbdulRazaq described the citizens’ engagement forum as one of his administration’s most crucial policy tools, designed to translate its developmental blueprint into actionable programmes and tangible projects.
“You would recall that this year’s town hall meetings began on Tuesday, 26 August 2024, at Bode Saadu for Kwara North. On 2 September 2025, we engaged with residents of Kwara Central, and today, we are pleased to conclude this round of consultations with the people of Kwara South,” he said.
“For a budget to be effective, it must reflect the true aspirations of the people. Our government firmly believes that planning for the people without the people is planning to fail. This engagement ensures that every voice, whether from farmers, traders, artisans, youths, or traditional institutions, is heard and factored into our fiscal decisions,” he added.
The Governor highlighted the progress made in infrastructure, health care, job creation, agriculture, and education, attributing much of the success to citizen feedback from previous engagements.
“Let us continue to strengthen this partnership between government and the people so that Kwara can truly become a model of inclusive and sustainable development,” AbdulRazaq said.
Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Oyebode, commended the Governor’s investment in road infrastructure in Kwara South, citing the ongoing Afon-Ojoku-Offa-Odo Otin road project. He called for similar attention to the Ipee-Bayagan-Egudu-Oyate-Agbamu road in Irepodun Local Government to ease transportation for farmers.
Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Marry Arinde, described the initiative as a step towards “moving beyond numbers on spreadsheets to genuinely understanding what matters most to the people.”
Commissioner for Works, Engr Abdulquawiy Olododo, refuted claims that the state’s road projects are concentrated in Ilorin.
Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, announced that at least 1,600 housing units had been facilitated by the Governor through the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, with 600 earmarked for Kwara South. He also revealed plans to begin work at the abandoned Offa stadium within two weeks, alongside a newly awarded contract for the Lafiagi stadium.
Chairman of Oyun Local Government, Hon Akanbi Kamar Olarewaju, lauded the platform for allowing residents to actively influence the budgeting process, while the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government, Hon Femi Yusuf, praised the Governor’s swift response to recent security breaches in Ile-Ire district and parts of Oke-Ode, noting that the intervention had restored calm and boosted confidence among residents.
