The Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has pledged to ensure transparency, accountability and inclusive governance in the preparation and implementation of its 2027 budget.
The Executive Chairman of the council, Dr Lukmon Agbaje, made the pledge at the 2027 Budget Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum held on Thursday in Ayobo, Lagos. The forum had the theme: “Inclusive Governance for Economic Growth in Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA”.
Agbaje said the forum was organised to deliberate on the developmental needs of communities and ensure that the 2027 budget reflected residents’ aspirations. He said his administration remained committed to promoting sustainable development across the LCDA.
The chairman said Nigeria’s changing economic conditions continued to affect government revenue, cost of living and public project implementation.
He said the situation required prudent financial management, strategic resource allocation and innovative approaches to governance. “Nigeria’s economy continues to experience changes that affect government revenue, the cost of living and the implementation of public projects.
“These challenges require prudent financial management, strategic resource allocation and innovative approaches to governance,” he said. The chairman said although crude oil remained an important source of government revenue and federal allocation, there was a need to diversify the economy.
He identified natural gas, solid minerals, agriculture and manufacturing as sectors that could generate additional revenue and employment opportunities. He said that the 2026 budget recorded 28.31 per cent performance in recurrent expenditure and 61.04 per cent in capital expenditure. He added that the overall budget performance stood at 89.35 per cent.
According to him, key economic indicators, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP), inflation and exchange rate, must guide the preparation of the 2027 budget. He said the indicators affected the prices of imported equipment, construction materials and essential supplies.
Agbaje thanked stakeholders including traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders and Community Development Associations (CDAs), traders, artisans, women and youth groups and persons with disabilities for participating in the forum.
In their submissions, stakeholders outlined priority projects for consideration in the 2027 budget, subject to the council’s financial capacity and state approval where necessary.
The Community Development Committee (CDC), led by its Chairman, Elder Joseph Olokede, requested the construction of Gbadamosi-Opesa Road. Olokede said the road would link Command Road and help decongest traffic along the Ipaja-Command Road corridor.
Similarly, the Arewa Community, represented by Mr Muhammed Dagash, presented six key requests to the council. Dagash said the requests included completion of the Arewa Central Mosque in the Arewa Kingdom of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.
He also requested an emergency ambulance or multipurpose community bus to convey sick, injured and deceased persons. Another request was the appointment of an Arewa community representative as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) or Special Assistant (SA).
Other proposals included youth empowerment through vocational, technical and digital skills training, small-business grants and apprenticeship opportunities. He also requested targeted support for small-scale traders and artisans.
He further sought welfare assistance for vulnerable households, including widows, orphans, persons with disabilities and low-income families. Dagash said the proposals would promote social inclusion, peaceful coexistence and improved living conditions in the LCDA.
Similarly, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ayobo-Ipaja Local Branch, commended Agbaje for promoting youth inclusion and maintaining an open-door policy.
In its submission signed by its Coordinator, Miss Azeezat Fagbohun, the council also acknowledged his administration’s engagement with youths through various programmes. The NYCN requested the establishment of a dedicated youth office.
Other requests included more job opportunities and empowerment programmes, as well as the inclusion of NYCN in stipend schemes. The youth council also sought the provision of an Aluta jet to support youth activities and funding for youth development programmes.
It further requested vocational, digital and entrepreneurial training to strengthen youth development and community growth. Agbaje assured stakeholders that their submissions would be considered within the council’s budgetary capacity.
