Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Monday presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly, with capital expenditure (CAPEX) accounting for 65.98 per cent of the total budget.
The Governor said the remaining 34.02 per cent of the fiscal plan would be devoted to recurrent expenditure, including social protection for the poor and enhanced welfare for workers.
He explained that the budget prioritises the completion of ongoing capital projects while initiating new ones aligned with the strategic needs of the state.
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Christened “The Budget of Consolidation and Sustained Growth,” Abdulrazaq said: “With profound gratitude to God for His mercies and guidance, I again stand before this Honourable House to lay the 2026 Appropriation Bill in compliance with Section 121(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The total size of the proposal is N644,004,816,893.00. Of this amount, 65.98 per cent is allocated to capital expenditure, while the remaining 34.02 per cent is for recurrent spending.
“These allocations clearly indicate the direction of our administration in the coming year. We will prioritise the completion of ongoing projects and invest in urgent needs such as security hardware, vehicles and technology to strengthen our response to kidnapping and other criminal activities.”
The Governor added that the budget also includes projects aimed at consolidating Kwara’s position as the strongest service, creative and technology-driven economy in Northern Nigeria.
He said the 2026 budget was built around key national economic assumptions, including an oil price benchmark of $64.85 per barrel, daily oil production of 1.84 million barrels, an exchange rate of N1,400 to the US dollar, and a GDP growth rate of 4.68 per cent.
Abdulrazaq expressed confidence that the projects outlined in the budget would expand the state’s economic base, improve the business environment, create jobs and deepen sustainable development, while freeing resources for enhanced social protection.
“Our belief in the wellbeing of every segment of our population is reflected not only in the 26.46 per cent allocation to Economic Affairs, but also in the inclusive policies that define our administration,” he said.
He disclosed that his administration had approved adjustments to the earnings of medical officers to attract and retain professionals, while a new Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA) would be implemented in 2026 to further support teachers.
The Governor also announced massive investment in the Alfalfa Estate to address herder -farmer clashes, enhance food security and empower thousands of people across the agricultural value chain.
He noted that the state had completed 38 roads and 29 interlocking access lanes in the outgoing year, with an additional 264.202 kilometres of roads currently under construction across the three senatorial districts.
According to him, major projects such as the Innovation Hub, Kwara Hotel, International Conference Centre, Patigi Regatta Motel, Dada Pottery, Shea Butter Factories, Shonga ICT Complex, Prototype Primary School, Adeta, Revenue House, Indoor Sports Hall and the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Hospital have either been completed or recorded significant progress.
He added that both campuses of Kwara State University in Osi and Ilesha Baruba had been delivered, expanding access to tertiary education.
Describing the 2026 budget as critical to his administration’s legacy, Abdulrazaq urged the House to expedite legislative consideration of the proposal.
In his remarks, Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, Speaker of the House of Assembly commended the Governor for respecting the principle of separation of powers, transparency, fiscal discipline and visible achievements in infrastructure, agriculture, food security and workers’ welfare.
“Your administration has demonstrated a high level of transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public resources, thereby strengthening public confidence and reinforcing Executive–Legislative collaboration for good governance,” he said.
Yakubu-Danladi also praised the Governor’s inclusive approach to governance, assuring that the House would give the budget prompt attention, engage relevant MDAs and ensure that the final outcome reflects the priorities of the state.
