Kwara State has received approval for a major financial boost from the World Bank, amounting to $85.4 million. The funds are expected to support development across key sectors of the state, including education, agriculture, infrastructure, and small businesses.
At the 2025 first-quarter Ministerial briefing in Ilorin, State Commissioner for Finance Hauwa Nuhu confirmed the development. She explained that the approval came after Kwara performed excellently in the World Bank’s NG-CARES programme.
“Kwara participated in the World Bank’s NG-CARES programme and performed excellently, which earned us this opportunity. Our efforts were thoroughly assessed and approved, and we are now awaiting the disbursement of the $85.4 million,” she said.
Nuhu assured that once the funds are disbursed, they will be used responsibly to accelerate growth across various sectors. She also noted that the state has already made significant investments in its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, particularly in areas like agriculture, SMEs, education, and infrastructure.
The commissioner highlighted a 16% increase in internally generated revenue (IGR), largely driven by tax reforms. She further revealed that the government pays about ₦6 million monthly in civil servant salaries, without delays or arrears. She praised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s leadership for fostering a stable, growth-focused environment.
“Our ministry will continue to strengthen partnerships to facilitate development, enhance ease of doing business, build capacity, and improve the lives of Kwarans,” she added.
In the education sector, the state is making clear strides. Professor Shehu Adaramaja, Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), shared some recent accomplishments. He announced the deployment of 183 digital learning tablets across three learning centres—Kaiama, Owode-Ofa, and LGEA Ote.
He also revealed that 2,390 out-of-school children were recently enrolled in schools through SUBEB’s social mobilisation efforts during the last holiday break.
“In February 2025, we procured and distributed 69,690 instructional materials in core subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Science, and Technology,” Adaramaja stated.
He added that the board has also trained teaching and non-teaching staff, constructed classrooms, drilled boreholes, and provided essential learning tools, all contributing to a better learning environment across the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, said the briefing was aimed at keeping the public informed of the government’s progress in governance, service delivery, and socio-economic development.
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