Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday presented a ₦644.00 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Kwara State House of Assembly, with a strong focus on completing ongoing projects, strengthening security architecture, and sustaining workers’ welfare.
Kwara News Update was present at the plenary session where the Governor formally laid the budget proposal before lawmakers in line with Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Governor disclosed that 65.98 per cent of the proposed budget has been earmarked for capital expenditure, while 34.02 per cent will go into recurrent spending, including social protection for the poor and improved welfare for workers.
According to him, the 2026 fiscal plan, tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Sustained Growth,” is designed to consolidate the gains of his administration and deepen development across critical sectors of the state.
Governor AbdulRazaq said priority would be given to the completion of ongoing capital projects, while also initiating new ones that align with the strategic needs of Kwara State. He added that significant investments would be made in security hardware, vehicles, and modern technologies to enhance the state’s response to kidnapping and other criminal activities.
“We will focus more on completing ongoing projects and invest in areas of urgent needs such as security hardwares, vehicles and technologies to enhance our response to kidnapping and activities of bad faith actors,” the Governor stated.
He explained that the budget assumptions were based on an oil price benchmark of $64.85 per barrel, daily oil production of 1.84 million barrels, an exchange rate of ₦1,400 to the dollar, and a GDP growth rate of 4.68 per cent.
Governor AbdulRazaq expressed confidence that the completion of key projects would expand the economic base of the state, improve the business environment, create jobs, and free more resources for social protection programmes.
On workers’ welfare, the Governor announced the implementation of a new Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA) in 2026, alongside recent adjustments to medical officers’ remuneration aimed at attracting and retaining skilled professionals in the health sector.
He also revealed massive investment plans in the Alfalfa Estate to address herder–farmer conflicts, boost food security, and empower thousands of people across agricultural value chains.
Highlighting achievements of the outgoing year, the Governor said 38 roads and 29 interlock access lanes had been completed, while over 264 kilometres of roads are currently at various stages of completion across the three senatorial districts.
He added that major projects such as the Innovation Hub, Kwara Hotel, International Conference Centre, Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hospital, Shea Butter Factories, Shonga ICT Complex, and several education, health, water and sports facilities had recorded significant milestones or been completed.
In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, commended the Governor for his respect for separation of powers, fiscal discipline, transparency, and visible achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, food security and workers’ welfare.
He assured that the House would give the budget proposal expedited legislative consideration to ensure it reflects the development priorities of the state.
The budget presentation was witnessed by top government officials, traditional rulers, lawmakers and party leaders, including Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, members of the National Assembly, first-class traditional rulers led by the Etsu Patigi, Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, and the state APC leadership headed by Prince Sunday Fagbemi.
Kwara News Update reports that the 2026 budget is expected to play a critical role in shaping the legacy of the AbdulRazaq administration as deliberations commence at the State House of Assembly.
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