Kogi records ₦308.22bn revenue in half-year—Finance Commissioner

The Kogi State Government has disclosed that it recorded N308.22bn in revenue during the first half of 2026, calling for greater citizens’ participation in the formulation of the 2027 budget to ensure that public spending reflects the needs and development priorities of the people.

The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Asiru Idris, FCA, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ town hall meeting on the preparation of the 2027 Kogi State Budget held at Edge Drive Hotels, Lokoja.

The meeting brought together representatives of civil society organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to review budget performance, identify development needs and suggest ways to improve public service delivery.

Idris described the budget as an instrument for translating government policies and development plans into projects, programmes and measurable outcomes. He said the preparation of the 2027 budget should involve citizens in determining spending priorities that directly affect their livelihoods and communities.

According to him, the meeting was convened to review progress, identify areas needing improvement and determine how available resources could be allocated to deliver the greatest social and economic benefits.

“We are here to listen, understand the priorities of our people, examine what has worked, identify what has not worked sufficiently, and determine where government resources should be directed to achieve the greatest possible impact,” he said.

The commissioner urged participants to offer honest assessments, constructive criticism and practical recommendations to guide the government during the budget preparation process.

Providing an update on the state’s fiscal performance, Idris said the 2026 half-year budget performance report showed that total revenue, including opening balance, stood at approximately ₦308.22bn, representing 37.6 per cent of the revised annual budget.

He added that total expenditure during the period was approximately ₦259.97bn, representing 31.7 per cent of the revised budget, while internally generated revenue (IGR) reached about ₦26.22bn, representing 59.6 per cent of the revised annual target.

Idris said the IGR performance underscored the importance of domestic revenue mobilisation to the state’s financial sustainability.

He called for stronger revenue administration, an expanded revenue base, reduced leakages, and a business-friendly environment to support economic growth.

The commissioner said the success of the 2027 budget should be assessed by its impact on citizens rather than the amount appropriated.

He listed employment generation, improved education and healthcare, infrastructure development, agricultural productivity, business growth and youth empowerment among the areas requiring attention.

He also called for better project monitoring and evaluation, efficient expenditure management and stronger collaboration with private-sector operators and development partners.

Idris said the 2027 budget must be realistic, credible, implementable and people-oriented to ensure that public resources deliver value.

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In his presentation, the Executive Director of Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation (RECEF), Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina, urged the state government to adopt an evidence-based, development-focused approach to budget preparation instead of treating it as a routine administrative exercise.

Muraina said the stakeholders’ meeting should give citizens a genuine opportunity to influence government priorities before the budget is finalised, rather than simply allowing them to react to decisions already made.

He said the effectiveness of the engagement should be measured by the extent to which credible recommendations from citizens are incorporated into the budget presented, approved, and implemented.

The civil society advocate called for stronger alignment between the 2027 budget and the Kogi State Development Plan 2024–2056.

He said the state’s long-term development objectives should be translated into properly costed sectoral plans, measurable targets, implementation timelines and clearly defined institutional responsibilities.

Muraina added that major capital projects should be linked to specific development objectives and assessed based on their expected benefits, implementation requirements and measurable outcomes.

He identified potable water supply and affordable transportation as two key areas requiring significant attention in the 2027 budget.

On water supply, he called for a comprehensive assessment of existing public water infrastructure, the rehabilitation of functional treatment plants and transmission systems, repairs to damaged networks, and the extension of services to underserved communities.

On transportation, Muraina advocated a sustainable mass transit system to reduce the financial burden on workers, students, traders and low-income households.

He stressed that an effective transport system should go beyond purchasing vehicles to include proper route planning, professional management, regular maintenance, transparent operations, and a sustainable expansion strategy.

According to him, the system should serve Lokoja and other major towns and transportation corridors across the state.

He said investments in water supply and public transportation would improve living conditions, ease financial pressures on households and promote inclusive development.