Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on Friday presented a budget of N540.3 billion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Kwara State House of Assembly.
According to AbdulRazaq, capital expenditure constitutes 62.1per cent of the fiscal plan while recurrent will get 37.9 per cent.
The Kwara State Governor said the budget proposal focuses on completing ongoing projects and social protection for the people of the state.
The governor added that his administration has plans to complete its major infrastructural projects and fund new ones from the budget.
“The budget of economic stability and sustained prosperity funds the completion of ongoing projects like the international conference centre, innovation hub, Patigi Motel, Kwara Hotel, and several roads across the state,” he said.
“Construction will begin on the multi-storey court house and access roads for Smart City project, alongside the development of 250 mass housing units statewide, road construction and the reconstruction of Lafiagi and Offa stadia are also prioritised.
“Further, we are committed to workers’ welfare, social protection for the poor, and strengthening mechanised agriculture with the procurement of modern equipment.”
The social sector gets 32.5 per cent of the plan, while education and health are allotted 16.2 per cent and 10.56 per cent, respectively, with a focus on getting the new University of Education off the ground and strengthening existing institutions across the state.
The Ministry of Works and Transport gets 17.51 per cent to continue the massive construction and maintenance of roadsacross the state.
Governor Abdulrazaq said the budget proposal reflects the commitment of his administration to deliver on promises as resources permit.
He added, “In 2024, we supported 171,649 farmers, invested in irrigation systems, and provided N2.2 billion worth of farm inputs.
“We also funded education for 66,000 entrance exam candidates, 58,420 BECE candidates, 28,500 WAEC candidates, and 27,000 NECO candidates. Over 70,000 vulnerable people received social protection, including those impacted by the urban renewal programme.
“Additionally, 15,000 indigent Kwarans benefited from free medical interventions. The urban renewal programme has transformed the capital city, improving its infrastructure significantly, restoring law and order, and projecting Ilorin as a modern city.
“While the year recorded unprecedented investment in physical infrastructure and social welfare, we similarly reduced the debt burden of the state to N58.87 billion in the third quarter, down from N109.16bn in December 2023.”
