Kwara State: Education, works, other key ministries record low spending in nine months
By Aminu Abubakar
A SolaceBase review of the Kwara State budget performance for between January and September 2025 has shown that key Ministries like Works, Health, and Education recorded less than 40% budget performance in the first three quarters representing the nine-month period of 2025. The figures, drawn from official budget performance documents, reflect the pace of government spending within the major sectors and provide an insight into how the administration distributed funds during the year.
The review shows that the Ministry of Energy recorded 26.6% budget performance. According to the document, the total budget for the 2025 fiscal year for the ministry stood at N4.3 billion, out of which only N1.1 billion was spent between January and September 2025. This indicates that less than one-third of the approved funds for the ministry were utilized within the period, raising questions about the pace of implementation of energy-related projects.
Further review shows that the Ministry of Works budget stood at N94.8 billion, with N32.8 billion spent between January and September, representing 34.6% budget performance. The Ministry of Works is responsible for roads, infrastructure rehabilitation, and other physical projects across the state, and its spending rate shows that slightly over one-third of its allocation was utilized within the nine-month window.
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development budget stood at N11.4 billion, with only N3.6 billion spent between January and September 2025, representing 31.9% budget performance, according to the official budget performance documents. This places the ministry among those with lower levels of fund utilization despite holding a crucial role in long-term planning and coordination of development programs.
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The budget for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development stands at N40.1 billion, with only N12 billion spent between January and September 2025, representing 29.9% budget performance. The numbers suggest a slow progression in housing-related initiatives during the period under review. Housing and urban development remain central to the state’s agenda, and the performance figures indicate that most of the allocated funds were still untouched as of the third quarter.
The Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development stood at N99.5 billion, with N37.5 billion spent between January and September 2025, representing 37.7%. Education is among the largest ministries in terms of allocation, and while the number shows more activity compared to some other sectors, it still remains under 40% of the approved annual budget.
Interestingly, the state budgeted only N354 million for its “State Educational Board,” a figure that stands out when compared with the multibillion-naira allocations for other agencies within the education sector. The relatively small allocation highlights the structure of funding across different educational bodies in the state.
The breakdown for the capital expenditure shows that the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development budget stood at N52.1 billion, with N7.8 billion spent between January and September, representing 15%. This means that while the ministry utilized some portion of its total allocation, its capital spending — which includes school construction, infrastructure upgrades, and other long-term investments — remained significantly low in the first three quarters.
Earlier, a review of the approved 2025 budget for Kwara State raised questions on budget priority of the state. The review showed that a sum of ₦10 billion has been earmarked for the rehabilitation of Kwara Hotel. This allocation continues a series of high-value investments in the same facility, creating a pattern of sustained spending on the project.
This comes despite the ₦13 billion spent on the same project in 2024. Between October and December 2024 alone, the state spent ₦6.4 billion on the hotel’s rehabilitation. The continuous allocation to Kwara Hotel has drawn attention because of the scale of the investment and the timeline within which the expenditures were made.
With ₦13 billion spent in 2024 and ₦10 billion approved for 2025, a total of ₦23 billion will be allocated to the project over two years—an increase from the widely reported ₦17.8 billion initially approved for the contract. The difference between the initial figure and the evolving expenditures underscores how the project’s cost has escalated over time.
Despite spending ₦13 billion on the hotel in 2024, the state allocated ₦0 for the construction or provision of public schools, ₦6.5 billion for the construction of hospitals and health centers, and only ₦491 million for the rehabilitation of water facilities. In comparison, the rehabilitation of roads in the state received ₦10.8 billion in 2024. These figures illustrate the distribution pattern of capital spending during that budget year.
Spending for development in Kwara State has been a major concern over time. In July 2025, SolaceBase review showed that 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.
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. The report adds context to the concerns around spending patterns and the pace of development in the state.
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