…Governor AbdulRazaq Approves International Standard Facilities in Sports Infrastructure Push
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Kwara State has commenced comprehensive rehabilitation work at the Olofa Stadium in Offa, marking the first major upgrade of the sporting facility in recent years. The project, approved by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq during the State Executive Council meeting, includes installation of alternative power supply, expanded pavilion capacity, water-sprinkler systems, and international-standard natural grass turf.
Additional improvements feature a solar-powered borehole and professional pitch upgrades that will transform the stadium into a fully equipped sporting venue. The development continues the administration’s sustained investment in sports infrastructure, following earlier renovations at Kwara State Stadium Complex, Indoor Sports Hall, and specialized courts for tennis, baseball, and squash.
Offa residents and football enthusiasts have welcomed the renovation, noting the potential to inspire young athletes and increase community sports participation.
…As government upgrades 32-sport complex, Offa and Lafiagi stadia
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Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has been commended for what stakeholders describe as the largest and most comprehensive investment in sports infrastructure in the history of the state.
Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, Coach Bola Magaji, said the administration’s massive renovation of the George Innih Stadium, Ilorin — including the Pa Gabriel Ladipo Indoor Sports Hall which alone cost over ₦2 billion — has repositioned Kwara as a major sports destination in Nigeria.
“This indoor sports hall alone has gulped over ₦2bn. Government has also invested in the football field, tennis court, squash court, and several others. Not many sectors have enjoyed as much support as sports from His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in the last six years,” Magaji said during a media tour of the stadium by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.
He described the stadium as unmatched in Nigeria for its scope and design, housing facilities for 32 different sports in one complex — a feat, he said, that neither Lagos, Abuja, nor Ibadan stadia can match.
“Our sports complex is the only one in Nigeria where you can play almost every sport within a single location except golf. Abuja has packages A and B, but even those don’t compare to what we have here,” he added.
Magaji said the administration’s investment is not limited to the state capital, citing the ongoing reconstruction of the Offa and Lafiagi stadia as part of the Governor’s plan to decentralize sporting facilities and give equal opportunities to athletes across senatorial districts.
He noted that the state’s performance in national competitions has significantly improved under the AbdulRazaq administration, rising from 23rd to 5th place in recent National Sports Festivals — the best performance in Kwara’s history.
“The Governor has given us all the necessary encouragement, financially and morally. Some of our athletes who left Kwara before are now eager to return because of how much the Governor has changed the face of sports in the state,” Magaji said.
He also praised the Governor’s athlete reward policy, which grants ₦1 million for gold medalists, ₦500,000 for silver, and ₦300,000 for bronze winners. Coaches and officials also receive incentives, while top-performing athletes, including those with disabilities, have been gifted brand new cars.
At the Kwara Football Academy (KFA), Magaji lauded the Governor for renovating hostels, dining halls, and clinics to enhance student welfare.
Students of the academy — Abdullahi Hassan, Saad Ahmad, and Adnan Muhammad-Akanbi — described the facilities as among the best in West Africa, noting that the structured academic and training programmes have improved their development both as students and athletes.
“I love football, and I chose KFA because it is one of the best academies in Nigeria,” said Hassan.
Ahmad added: “KFA is one of the best in West Africa. They take good care of us. We have good accommodation, reliable electricity, and a well-equipped medical facility.”
Magaji concluded that Governor AbdulRazaq’s long-term vision for sports development has placed Kwara among Nigeria’s leading sporting states, creating opportunities for young talents and strengthening the local economy through sports tourism.
… Governor AbdulRazaq approves transparent process to clear backlog, prioritising retirees by year of exit
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The Kwara State Government has established two nonpartisan technical committees made up of technocrats and Labour leaders to verify gratuity records at both state and local government levels, ensuring that pensioners are paid based on when they retired from service.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq approved the initiative as part of his administration’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness in the payment of outstanding gratuities across the state.
According to the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, the eight-member committee for state gratuities is chaired by the State Auditor General, while the Local Government Auditor General heads the committee for local government retirees.
Other members include representatives of the retired Permanent Secretaries, retired civil servants’ associations, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and certified accounting professionals from ICAN and ANAN. Mrs. Iyabo Adebayo and Mrs. Amina Ahmed will serve as secretaries for the state and local government committees respectively.
“The primary objective of the committee is to ensure the accuracy and transparent compilation of outstanding state and LGA gratuities for eligible pensioners in readiness for automated bank transfer payments,” Dr. Nuru said.
She explained that the committees have been tasked with verifying detailed yearly gratuity schedules from the pension boards, confirming the eligibility of pensioners using PSN, Pension Numbers, KWSSRA SSID database, and NIN, and reconciling all records against government documents.
The committees will also prioritise payments starting from the oldest outstanding year, recommend disbursements based on available funds, and ensure proper documentation for audit purposes.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration has consistently prioritised the welfare of retirees, having cleared multiple years of inherited arrears while instituting a structured, transparent process to sustain regular gratuity payments going forward.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as Chairman of the National Steering Committee for the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme. The initiative targets grassroots economic growth, livelihood enhancement, and social protection across all 8,809 wards in Nigeria.
Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu will serve as Vice Chairman. Committee members include governors representing the six geopolitical zones: Mai Mala Buni (North-East), Douye Diri (South-South), Dapo Abiodun (South-West), Peter Mbah (South-East), Dikko Umar Radda (North-West), and Hyacinth Alia (North-Central).
The committee convened its inaugural meeting on October 29, 2025, at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat in Abuja. Governor AbdulRazaq presided over the session, which focused on implementing the ward-based development strategy to stimulate local economies and strengthen community resilience.
In fulfillment of its commitment to providing potable water for the people, the Kwara State Government, under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commenced the rehabilitation of the Omu-Aran Waterworks.
Commissioned in 1977 and serving Omu-Aran and neighboring communities, the rehabilitation of the facility will improve access to safe, clean drinking water and help prevent waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Over the last six years, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has invested heavily in infrastructural development, including the rehabilitation of waterworks across the state, ending years of potable water scarcity and long queues for unsafe water from tanks.
Expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the Omu-Aran Waterworks, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Oladele Adeoti Akolade Agboluaje, commended the Governor, noting that the project’s completion will significantly improve residents’ access to potable water.
Similarly, excited residents of Omu-Aran have commended the Governor AbdulRazaq for the ongoing rehabilitation, describing the project as a “lifesaver” that will end years of water scarcity in the community.
The ongoing rehabilitation of the Omu-Aran Waterworks underscores Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s dedication to ensuring that residents of Kwara not only enjoy good roads but also have reliable access to potable water.
..Begins Rehabilitation of Omu-Aran, Oyun Waterworks as Governor AbdulRazaq Pays N700m Counterpart Fund to Boost Water and Food Security
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The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its strong commitment to ensuring reliable access to clean and safe water for residents across the state, with major strides recorded in the rehabilitation and commissioning of key water infrastructure.
Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade, stated this on Wednesday during the 2025 Third Quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Ministry of Finance conference room, Ilorin.
He said the state government has completed and commissioned the Zambufu Waterworks as well as the three power phases at Otte/Budo-Egba Waterworks, while rehabilitation works at the Omu-Aran and Oyun Waterworks are progressing rapidly and will soon be completed to restore water supply to surrounding communities.
Hon. Lade also announced that Oke-Ero Local Government Area has been officially declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the National Council on Sanitation and Task Group (NSTG), Abuja — a development that earned the Kwara State Government commendation from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
He explained that the government has constructed modern public toilets in Balogun Alanamu, Eruda, and Ajikobi communities within Ilorin metropolis as part of efforts to curb open defecation, adding that similar projects are being extended to other local government areas.
The Commissioner further disclosed that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has paid N700 million counterpart fund for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, which aims to enhance both water and food security across the state. Needs assessments, he said, have already been conducted for the siting of the projects.
He noted that powered and hand pump boreholes are being drilled across the three senatorial districts, while extensive pipe repairs and extensions have been carried out within Ilorin metropolis to improve water distribution.
Hon. Lade added that the Kwara State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) has completed a solar-powered borehole at the Ministry of Livestock and concluded the first phase of renovation at the Kwara State Water Corporation headquarters on Zulu Gambari Road, Ilorin.
He said the government is also exploring alternative power solutions to ensure uninterrupted water supply across the state, stressing that the AbdulRazaq administration remains committed to delivering sustainable and people-centred water infrastructure for every community in Kwara.
Kwara State has been ranked third nationwide in the 2025 edition of BudgIT’s State of States Report, confirming the state’s steady rise as one of Nigeria’s most fiscally responsible and sustainably managed subnationals.
The latest ranking, which placed Anambra, Lagos, and Kwara in the top three positions respectively, reflects Kwara’s strong financial prudence, improved internally generated revenue, and consistent prioritisation of capital investment under the leadership of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
BudgIT, a civic-tech organisation that promotes fiscal transparency and accountability, unveiled the report in Lagos with the theme “A Decade of Subnational Fiscal Analysis: Growth, Decline and Middling Performance.” The report marks ten years of tracking the fiscal health and governance efficiency of Nigerian states, assessing revenue generation, debt management, expenditure patterns, and sectoral investments in education and health.
The 2025 ranking highlights Kwara’s upward movement from fourth place in 2024 to third position this year, solidifying its place among the top-performing states. According to BudgIT, Kwara’s fiscal sustainability, prudent spending, and investment in capital projects continue to distinguish it from several subnationals still struggling with over-reliance on federal allocations.
The report also recognised Kwara among only five states alongside Abia, Anambra, Ogun, and Edo that generated enough internal revenue to cover at least half of their operating expenses. This development underscores the growing strength of Kwara’s economic base and the effectiveness of its revenue reforms.
BudgIT’s analysis noted that Kwara maintained a healthy balance between recurrent and capital expenditure, prioritising infrastructure and social investment while keeping personnel costs and debt obligations within sustainable limits.
The organisation also observed that Kwara’s performance over the past few years aligns with the state’s consistent focus on long-term fiscal planning, transparency, and diversification of its revenue sources.
Overall, BudgIT’s 2025 report identified Kwara as a model for subnational governance, citing its fiscal discipline, reform-driven leadership, and strategic investments that have enhanced economic resilience and improved the quality of life for its citizens.
Commenting on the new ranking, BudgIT’s Group Head of Research, Vahyala Kwaga, said the decade-long analysis reinforces the importance of sound fiscal management in achieving sustainable development across states.
Kwara’s top-tier ranking follows similar recognitions in recent years, positioning the state among Nigeria’s most stable, transparent, and investment-ready economies.
… State sets commissioning timelines for Patigi Regatta Motel, International Conference Centre, and other major projects
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The Kwara State Government has announced the completion of several key projects aimed at driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth across the state, including the 50-ton Shea Butter Factory in Kaiama and the ICT Hub in Shonga.
Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2025 Third Quarter Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Ministry of Finance conference room in Ilorin.
She said the Shea Butter Factory has reached the equipment testing stage and will soon be commissioned, adding that the facility will boost local production, support farmers, and enhance the state’s export capacity. The Commissioner confirmed that the newly completed ICT Hub in Shonga, Kwara North, is now at the equipment installation and electrical phase, ready to serve as a digital innovation centre for young entrepreneurs.
Hon. Adelodun also announced that work on the Ilorin International Conference Centre (IICC) has reached 47% completion and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, while the remodeling of Kwara Hotel stands at 71% completion with the same delivery timeline. The Patigi Regatta Motel is 80% completed, with final works ongoing ahead of commissioning in December 2025.
She described the projects as part of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s vision to create a modern, innovation-driven economy, noting that the government has successfully executed and managed 11 landmark projects across the three senatorial districts.
The Commissioner cited the Ilorin Innovation Hub—now recognised as the largest tech hub in Nigeria—and the Kwara Garment Factory as examples of projects that are creating jobs and expanding industrial capacity in the state. She added that the Sugar Film Factory has placed Kwara on the national creative industry map, with its first TV series, Ajuwaya, already in production.
Adelodun further disclosed that the Ministry, in partnership with Kwara State University (KWASU), successfully launched Nigeria’s first gas-to-electric vehicle conversion project, reinforcing Kwara’s leadership in green technology.
She noted that the Kwara Coding and Digital Literacy Programme has trained over 5,500 students from 50 public schools across all 16 local government areas, equipping young Kwarans with digital and creative skills to compete globally.
Hon. Adelodun reaffirmed that the government remains committed to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth, adding that its participation in national trade fairs and investment summits has continued to attract investors and showcase Kwara’s expanding business ecosystem.
… Summit to explore intersection of people, policy, and technology innovation
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The Kwara State Government has announced plans to host the Kwara AI Summit 2025, a landmark event that will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and technology enthusiasts to explore how Artificial Intelligence can drive inclusive growth and digital transformation across Africa.
The two-day summit, themed “AI in Harmony — Bridging People, Policy, and Possibilities,” will hold on November 27 and 28, 2025, featuring high-level discussions, panel sessions, and exhibitions aimed at aligning AI development with human needs, governance frameworks, and social progress.
According to the organisers, the event will serve as a platform for dialogue, discovery, and collaboration among key stakeholders, including government representatives, academia, entrepreneurs, and youth innovators who are shaping the continent’s digital economy.
They said the summit will focus on how AI can be responsibly harnessed to improve governance, create jobs, enhance education, boost healthcare delivery, and promote sustainable development in Kwara and beyond.
The Kwara AI Summit 2025 is expected to feature a mix of keynote addresses, expert workshops, policy roundtables, and technology showcases highlighting homegrown innovations and start-ups in the AI ecosystem.
… Kwara sustains scholarships, expands ICT infrastructure, and strengthens partnerships across tertiary institutions
The Kwara State Government has recorded another milestone in its education sector, with all academic programmes presented by the Kwara State University (KWASU) and the Kwara State Polytechnic earning full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), respectively.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, announced this during the third quarter inter-ministerial press briefing in Ilorin, where she highlighted the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s sustained investments in tertiary education between April and September 2025.
She said the state has witnessed remarkable progress in infrastructure, research, innovation, and institutional governance, supported by peaceful industrial relations and regular payment of staff salaries. These efforts, she noted, have ensured uninterrupted academic calendars across all state-owned institutions.
According to her, the Ministry secured approvals for the renovation and upgrading of 14 facilities at the College of Education, Ilorin, to serve both the College and the newly established Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED). The Governor also approved the procurement of laboratory equipment, library furniture, e-learning tools, and a fully integrated ICT system for KWASUED, including a website, bursary automation, HR management, and a learning management platform.
Hajia Modibbo Kawu added that Governor AbdulRazaq approved a 100% increase in bursary and scholarship awards for Kwara indigenes, including law students. She also announced that 200 youths completed technical training at IVTEC Ajase-Ipo under the Kwara Youth Empowerment and Employment Generation Scheme (KWYEEGS), while over 600 female students of the Kwara State Polytechnic benefitted from Smart Agriculture training under the French Government’s WATEA Project, in partnership with IITA.
KWASU, she said, has taken a lead in clean energy innovation, converting old government vehicles to electric and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) systems. The University also signed an MoU with Yasin Logistics to establish CNG conversion and repair centres under the Presidential Initiative on CNG (PiCNG), which will provide buses and motorcycles for intra-campus transportation.
Other major collaborations include Kwara Polytechnic’s partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation; IVTEC’s MoU with the Federal Polytechnic, Offa; and the College of Education, Ilorin’s research exchange with Rudn University, Russia.
The Commissioner further revealed that the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, and the College of Education (Technical), Lafiagi, have new substantive Provosts, while the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies (CAILS) has inaugurated its Governing Council to strengthen institutional governance.
She also commended the performance of Kwara State Polytechnic students at the 2024 NIPOGA Games, where they won six gold, six silver, and two bronze medals, as well as the College of Education, Ilorin, which clinched first place at the ECHIPS National Competition organized by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Highlighting progress in aviation education, Hajia Modibbo Kawu said the Kwara State Aviation College completed commercial pilot licence (CPL) training for three students, who were decorated by the Governor, while the institution acquired new aircraft engines and logistics equipment to enhance flight operations and safety.
She concluded that the Ministry continues to prioritize staff training through workshops on entrepreneurship, ICT, and digital learning, reinforcing the state’s drive toward sustainable educational development and innovation.
