By Aminu Abubakar

Despite receiving a total of N71.6 billion in local government allocation over a twelve-month period, Kwara State continues to grapple with mounting developmental challenges that cut across healthcare, water access, flooding, and insecurity, particularly in rural communities.

A breakdown of the monthly allocation received by the state between March 2024 and February 2025 reveals significant inflows. In February 2025 alone, the state received N8.2 billion, while N6.3 billion came in January. December 2024 saw N7.2 billion, November N6.3 billion, and October N6 billion. September received N5.4 billion, and N6 billion was collected in both August and July. June and May saw allocations of N5 billion and N5.2 billion, respectively, while April got N5.2 billion and March N4.8 billion.

Yet, the impact of these funds remains questionable as key sectors continue to show signs of distress. The National Bureau of Statistics recently reported that 75% of households in Kwara lack access to sanitary facilities, and 42% have no access to clean drinking water—a damning reflection of poor investment in essential infrastructure.

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In January 2025, devastating floods struck Shonga in Edu Local Government Area, ruining thousands of hectares of rice farms and displacing hundreds of farmers. The financial damage ran into millions, affecting food security in the state. The state, however, budgeted only N50 million for erosion and flood control in 2025.

During a visit by a state government delegation, the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Halidu Yahya Ndanusa, lamented the situation. “This is a threat to food security,” he said, highlighting the vulnerability of agricultural communities.

Also, this was not an isolated event. In September 2024, residents of Bode Saadu in Moro LGA were also displaced due to flooding caused by heavy rains. Several homes were submerged, leaving many families without shelter or support.

Kwara’s rural healthcare system is equally in dire straits.

A SolaceBase investigation uncovered the dilapidated state of many Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), especially in Asa Local Government Area. Communities such as Odo-Ode, Igboroko-Afon, Sapati-Oko, and Sholu are served by under-resourced facilities with minimal staffing and medical supplies.

Pregnant women and young children are particularly at risk due to the absence of prenatal care and basic medical attention. Residents have called on the government to prioritize healthcare funding and management.

Ironically, the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency was allocated only N73 million in the 2025 state budget, a figure many say is grossly insufficient to meet rural health demands.

Water access is another sore point for many Kwarans. In Tanke Bubu, a community in Ilorin, residents have resorted to buying sachet water for bathing and cooking. With the dry season worsening water scarcity, many now trek long distances in search of water, often waking as early as 3:30 a.m. to queue at the few functional sources.

“I spend more money buying water than food some days,” one resident, Shukurah Ibirogba, told SolaceBase. “Our wells have dried up and there are no working boreholes.”

Despite this, the state government budgeted only N6.7 million for the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) in the 2025 fiscal year. Meanwhile, the Kwara State Water Corporation received a total of N289 million, far less than what experts say is needed to address the state’s water infrastructure challenges.

Security has also deteriorated in many parts of rural Kwara, with increasing reports of kidnappings and attacks. Yet, only N350 million was allocated for security votes in the 2025 budget.

This is in stark contrast to what many observers see as misplaced priorities. For instance, the state allocated a staggering N10 billion for the rehabilitation of Kwara Hotel—a luxury project critics say should not come before health, water, and security needs.

Many residents and stakeholders have expressed frustration over the disconnect between budget allocations and the realities on the ground. “There’s too much emphasis on glamour projects while people in rural areas suffer silently,” a civil society leader said.

The situation has reignited calls for greater transparency in budget implementation and for the decentralization of local government administration to allow funds to directly impact communities.

As the figures show, Kwara has received substantial financial inflows. However, until these resources are matched with prudent spending, proper oversight, and a commitment to meeting basic human needs, the state’s developmental challenges may continue to persist.