Kwara 2025 Budget: Education, Health Allocation Below Global Benchmark – BBYDI

By Femi Ogundele

The Brain Builders Development Youth Initiative (BBYDI) has stated that Kwara state Government 2025 budget allocation for health and education sectors do align with global benchmark.

BBYDI raised this observations in comprehensive Kwara 2025 budget analysis made available to FactualTimes on Friday by the Communication Officer, Jarius Awo

The Group pointed out that Kwara state Government’s decision to allocate just 9.5% to education was appalling as it falls short of the 15- 20% recommended by UNESCO.

They also faulted the 43.1 billion Naira allocation to the health sector, which failed to meet up with the Abuja declaration of a 15% benchmark, which could be perceived as negligence to the Healthcare of indigenes and residents of the state.

The proposed 2025 budget which revealed an expected total expenditure of 540.36 billion Naira with an expected deficit of 70.45 billion Naira.

According to report, the budget overall has been marred with unrealistic revenue and deficit financing, high recurrent expenditure and wasteful spending, transparency deficiencies among others.

BBYDI said allocation for pilgrimage boards, political offices and administrative agencies have continued to increase which reflects misplaced priorities by the state government.

The group however commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led administration for making provision adjustment in minimum wage, increased allocations of key sectors and efforts to improve internal generated revenue of the state.

“The proposed budget includes provision for an improved minimum wage structure, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing workers’ welfare”. They affirmed.

While urging the Legislative arm to objectively review the proposed budget, Awo stated that the lawmakers should prioritise long term economic stability and transparency in the process.