By Princess Funsho Sumanu
The Kogi State Government has continued its citizens’ engagement and budget sensitisation exercise in Kogi West Senatorial District, calling on residents, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to actively participate in the formulation of the 2027 budget.
The engagement, held in Kabba on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, is part of the government’s efforts to promote transparency, deepen public participation in governance and ensure that budgetary allocations reflect the needs and priorities of communities across the state.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Ashiru Idris, FCA, represented by the Special Adviser I to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Olajide Samuel, said the exercise was designed to bridge the gap between government planning and citizens’ expectations.
He described the budget as more than a financial document, noting that it serves as a development instrument through which government translates its policies and priorities into programmes and projects that improve the living conditions of the people.
The commissioner stressed that citizens had an important role to play in identifying pressing community needs, contributing practical ideas during budget preparation and monitoring the implementation of approved projects.
He emphasised the need to move from appropriation to measurable results, explaining that the real value of a budget lies in its capacity to deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Idris reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to responsible fiscal management and the implementation of policies and programmes that address the developmental needs of residents.
He urged participants to make meaningful contributions, adding that the success of the engagement would depend on the quality of recommendations presented and the collective commitment to translating budgetary decisions into improved living conditions.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), Barr. Hamza Aliyu, highlighted the role of civil society organisations in promoting transparency, accountability and citizens’ participation in governance.
Aliyu noted that budget transparency went beyond making financial documents available to the public, stressing the need for citizens to understand budget provisions, participate in decision-making and monitor the implementation of projects and programmes.
He urged the government to sustain the engagement and strengthen channels through which residents could contribute to budget preparation and track public expenditure.
According to him, stronger collaboration between government and civil society organisations would improve accountability and help ensure that public resources were directed towards projects that address the actual needs of communities.
In his paper presentation, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina underscored the importance of citizens’ engagement in promoting inclusive governance and ensuring that development priorities reflected realities at the grassroots.
He encouraged stakeholders to use the platform to articulate their concerns and offer practical recommendations to support the state’s development objectives.
Muraina also called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and community members to achieve sustainable development and improve residents’ welfare.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers and chiefs, the Obaro of Owe Land, HRH Oba Olusegun Areh, commended the state government for providing an avenue for traditional institutions and other stakeholders to contribute to the preparation of the 2027 budget.
He urged participants to appreciate Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning for the initiative, describing the issues raised during the engagement as relevant to the state’s development aspirations.
Areh particularly endorsed the emphasis on moving from appropriation to results, maintaining that the success of a budget should be measured by its impact on ordinary citizens rather than the completion of the preparation and approval process.
He observed that despite discussions about macroeconomic progress at the national level, many citizens continued to face economic difficulties at the grassroots.
The traditional ruler said state and local governments had important roles to play in addressing these challenges through practical policies and projects that respond to the everyday needs of residents.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing consultations would help the state identify clear development priorities and formulate a budget capable of delivering measurable benefits.
Traditional ruler seeks investment in food security, rural infrastructure
Areh urged the government to give greater attention to food security, describing the availability and affordability of food as essential to the welfare of the people.
He called for the improvement of rural and inner roads to ease the transportation of agricultural produce from farms to markets, noting that poor road conditions could increase transportation difficulties, disrupt food distribution and constrain agricultural activities.
On electricity, the traditional ruler highlighted the challenges facing small businesses, including barbershops, hair salons, market traders and other operators who depend on reliable power to sustain their activities.
He said the high cost of alternative energy sources placed additional financial pressure on small businesses and called for sustained efforts to make electricity more accessible and affordable.
Areh also urged the government to prioritise teachers’ welfare, remuneration and allowances as part of its investment in education.
He argued that education planning should extend beyond the construction of school buildings and provision of furniture to include adequate incentives for teachers, noting that improved welfare was important for attracting and retaining qualified personnel and sustaining effective teaching and learning.
The traditional ruler called on the government to ensure that the 2027 budget addressed the practical needs of citizens and delivered visible improvements in food security, rural infrastructure, electricity, education and other essential sectors.
The Kabba engagement forms part of the state government’s broader effort to extend budget sensitisation and citizens’ participation across the three senatorial districts, providing stakeholders with opportunities to influence the formulation of a budget that reflects local realities and development priorities.
The exercise is also intended to strengthen public involvement in budgetary decisions and promote greater accountability in the implementation of government projects and programmes.
