The Kwara State House of Assembly has enacted the 2026 Appropriation Bill, establishing a total budget of ₦656.5 billion. This figure, passed on Friday, exceeds Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s initial executive proposal by ₦10.5 billion following legislative review.
The budget was approved after the House adopted the report of its Committee on Finance and Appropriation during plenary. Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu stated the upward revision resulted from thorough scrutiny to ensure fiscal realism and effective implementation. “The revised budget reflects the House’s commitment to ensuring that government spending aligns with developmental priorities and economic realities,” he remarked.
A breakdown shows recurrent expenditure—covering salaries, debt servicing, and administrative costs—increased to ₦409.6 billion, a rise of ₦10.5 billion from the executive’s estimate. Capital allocation, designated for infrastructure and development projects, was raised from ₦254 billion to ₦271 billion to accelerate critical initiatives. Debt servicing for the fiscal year is now projected at ₦14.2 billion, slightly above earlier projections.
The Speaker explained that the adjustments were necessary to fast-track key projects and enhance service delivery under the administration’s development agenda. He emphasized that the legislature conducted its examination “in line with constitutional provisions” to approve a realistic and implementable budget intended to maximize benefits for residents.
The Assembly also underscored its intent to exercise robust oversight, ensuring prudent execution and accountability in public spending. This legislative intervention highlights the role of state assemblies in refining executive budget proposals to reflect broader developmental needs.
The 2026 budget becomes law as Kwara State continues to navigate economic challenges while prioritizing infrastructure and public service delivery. The increased capital allocation signals a focus on tangible projects, though successful implementation will depend on consistent oversight and revenue performance in the coming fiscal year.
