By Muyideen Aliyu
History reveals that true liberation and redemption are rarely attained in comfort zones or familiar terrain. Prior to 2019, Kwara State stood at a crossroads, burdened by years of economic stagnation, structural deficits, and a demoralizing culture of percentage salaries for civil servants.
Today, however, Kwarans can clearly trace the trajectory that brought Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to power and acknowledge the tangible outcomes of policies that have reshaped the state. AbdulRazaq’s journey to the Ahmadu Bello House was neither linear nor predictable, much like his unassuming demeanor. Yet, six and a half years later, his leadership style and achievements stand as proof that the Otoge struggle continues to yield dividends for the people, silencing critics who doubted his capacity to deliver on campaign promises.
The current administration has demonstrated that political success is best sustained when dialogue remains open, differences are managed with wisdom, and collective responsibility is placed above individual ambition.
In many ways, AbdulRazaq’s leadership reflects a quiet but steady determination to restore the state’s lost glory. This is evident in his focus on educational excellence, bold agricultural reforms, a robust healthcare delivery system, and an enduring cultural policy.
The strides recorded in education, infrastructure, agriculture, social investment, and health serve as a major shift from the Kwara of old. Those who viewed the 2019 political revolution as an accident can now see that the state has changed for the better; the era of business as usual is over.
Official records indicate that this administration has delivered more road networks completed, ongoing, or facilitated through tax credits than the three previous administrations combined since 1999. Between 2019 and the present, over 302.4km of roads have been completed, with 275.25km ongoing (including 209.7km under RAMP), and another 294km of tax-credit roads. This totals an impressive 871.65km spread across the state’s three senatorial districts.
In the education sector, the government has hired over 8,000 teachers, constructed more than 2,000 blocks of classrooms, and bridged gaps in staff welfare by clearing promotion arrears dating back to 2016.
Similarly, the health sector has witnessed a change in narrative with improved access to medical treatment. The recent inauguration of 83 upgraded Primary Health Care (PHC) centres aims to meet the immediate health needs of citizens at the grassroots.
Financially, the administration has implemented two minimum wages and paid more counterpart funds than any previous government, reaffirming a commitment to the welfare of civil servants and pensioners. Remarkably, the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has surged from N30.6 billion in 2019 to N87.1 billion as of December 19, 2025 a more than 100 percent increase.
With urban renewal initiatives and the Smart City project, the Governor is laying a template for sustainable future development, including the phased construction of the Kwara State University of Education. From the 24 state constituencies to all 193 wards, the impact of governance is being felt, setting a high benchmark for post-2027 administration.
Governor AbdulRazaq perhaps summed up his mission best when he said, “I am just interested in building a legacy of leaving this state far better than I met it—a legacy of a state that is viable. I am not interested in building a dynasty, and I urge that we work together for a greater state.”
As Kwara continues this journey of renewal, the focus remains on development that is not just visible, but sustainable for generations to come.