Governor Abdulrazaq’s Misguided Priorities and Neglect of Kwara’s Agric Sector

By Sulaiman Onimago

While conventional wisdom suggests that the current economic crisis in Nigeria would naturally make state governors abandon the culture of wastefulness and focus efforts on sectors and initiatives that can revamp the economy and lessen the hardship created by the economic crisis. However, the situation is worrisome in Kwara State, where Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq continues to make questionable budgetary choices that expose his poor governance.

A glaring example of this incompetence is Kwara’s 2025 budgetary allocation to agriculture. Despite being a cornerstone of employment and local economic growth, Kwara State’s recent budget allocation to this vital sector paints a disappointing picture. According to data from Statisense, the state’s commitment to agriculture for the 2025 fiscal year stands at N5.65 billion, ranking 35th out of 36 states—a stark contrast to the potential it holds.

For a state like Kwara, where agriculture is a major employer of labor and a key economic driver, this allocation falls woefully short of what is needed to stimulate growth and resilience in the face of economic downturns. Agriculture not only sustains livelihoods but also drives rural development and food security.

In comparison to other states making substantial investments in agricultural revitalization, Kwara’s underwhelming budgetary provision reflects Governor Abdulrazaq’s low commitment and readiness to fully harness the state’s agricultural potential. While some governors are increasingly recognising the transformative power of agriculture in diversifying revenue streams and fostering sustainable development, the attitude of Governor Abdulrazaq suggests a disconnect from this strategic imperative.

It is important to ask: what exactly does Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq hope to achieve with ₦5.65 billion for agriculture? In contrast, Niger State allocated a staggering ₦460.11 billion, Benue ₦33.8 billion, and even a smaller state like Imo, with less agricultural landmass, budgeted ₦50.44 billion. These figures show a clear commitment to food security, farmer support, and economic development that is painfully lacking in Kwara.

Governor Abdulrazaq, whose administration frequently claims to champion rural development and farmers’ empowerment, has yet again proven that these are just empty rhetoric. How does he justify this paltry allocation at a time when food inflation is at an all-time high? How does he expect Kwara farmers to compete with their counterparts in states that are investing heavily in mechanization, irrigation, and agro-processing?

The irony is that while states like Ogun and Niger are making bold agricultural investments, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq continues to squander resources on unnecessary political events, media propaganda, and white-elephant projects that add little or no value to the state’s economy.

This is not an isolated incident. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s poor handling of financial matters has been a defining feature of his administration. Under his watch, salaries of workers in critical sectors remain inconsistent, infrastructure development is at a snail’s pace, and public trust in governance has collapsed.

Even the argument that Kwara is operating a “lean budget” does not hold water. The 2025 budget is N584.69 billion, increased by the state assembly from the initial N540.37 billion, yet, agriculture sector that directly impacts food security, employment, and local revenue generation—was given a miserable fraction of the entire budget. Where is the money going? What is being prioritized over food security and rural development? Meanwhile, the same administration that pays little attention to agriculture continues to fund frivolities.

At this point, it is safe to say that Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is clueless about governance. A leader with vision would see agriculture as the foundation for economic resilience, food sufficiency, and job creation not as an afterthought.

Instead of positioning Kwara as an agricultural powerhouse, he has underfunded the sector, leaving farmers stranded, food prices soaring, and the economy weakened.

The truth is, Kwara State deserves far better than this level of mediocrity. It is not enough for Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to give speeches about agricultural growth while his budget tells a completely different story. A governor who truly cares about development would take bold steps like providing grants for farmers, expanding irrigation, improving rural roads, and supporting agro-industrialization.

But what do we have instead? A leadership that would rather underfund essential sectors and hope that propaganda will cover its failures.

History will not be kind to Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. His consistent refusal to make the right financial choices is pushing Kwara further into stagnation, and his legacy will be that of a leader who had an opportunity to transform the state but failed woefully.

Kwarans must demand better. If we continue to tolerate this visionless leadership, the state will keep lagging behind while others move forward. 2027 is around the corner, and the Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is rumoured to be fronting his puppet at the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Salihu Danladi, under whose leadership this mischief is perpetrated and it will be another opportunity for the people to reject incompetence at the polls.