By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State Government says it will prioritise residents’ needs in preparing the 2027 budget, while considering available resources and competing demands across the state.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, stated this at the 2027 Budget Consultative Forum for the Lagos Island Division held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
The forum brought together residents, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to present their priorities for consideration in the 2027 appropriation plan.
Representatives of traditional rulers at the event included the White Cap Chiefs, representing the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Olu of Iwaya-Yaba Kingdom, Oba Suleiman Oloko; the Onisabe of Igbosabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi; and the Onisiwo of Tomaro and Abagbo Kingdom, Oba Mohammed Yusuf.
George explained that the government could not implement all requests submitted during previous consultations at once, as proposals from the five divisions had to be assessed and prioritised based on available resources.
He said residents’ submissions were collated and subjected to a prioritisation process, after which projects that could be completed or sustained as ongoing interventions were identified.
“The process is not about disregarding residents’ requests, but about determining what can realistically be addressed within available resources and the state’s development plans,” he said.
The commissioner acknowledged residents’ contributions to the growth of Lagos and expressed optimism that the government would continue to build on its investments and developmental achievements.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget, Sa’ad Olumoh, said the state’s development strategies were evolving in response to emerging challenges and changing residents’ needs.
Olumoh said the Lagos State Infrastructure Master Plan and Development Plan remained key guides for the government’s development efforts, stressing the need for policies and strategies to remain responsive to prevailing realities.
He described the consultative forum as an important part of the 2027 budget preparation process, noting that stakeholders were being given the opportunity to identify and present their needs and priorities.
According to him, inputs from the consultations would be consolidated into the 2027 budget proposal before its transmission to the Lagos State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.
He added that the approved budget would subsequently be presented to the governor for assent.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Olayinka Ojo, said the consultation was designed to ensure that citizens’ contributions translated into measurable government action.
Ojo said residents should be able to return to communities and see progress on issues raised during previous consultations.
She added that the forums also provided an opportunity for government to present progress on projects and programmes arising from earlier engagements, while beneficiaries could share their experiences on the impact of government interventions.
The engagement forms part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing consultations with stakeholders across the state’s five divisions ahead of the 2027 budget.
