No be small matter as dem don release budget plans for South-West Nigeria wey reach N8.7 trillion for 2026. This budget go make big sense as dem dey plan to use over half of am for capital spending. Na for one big meeting wey happen recently for DAWN Commission, policy makers, economists, and civil society leaders come gather to yan how to turn small economic stability wey we dey see into big growth and better welfare for the people.
Dr. Seye Oyeleye, wey be the Director-General of DAWN Commission, come talk say the reforms wey Nigeria don dey try implement, no matter say e dey pain, don start to dey stabilize di economy small, and dem dey see light wey fit shine for subnational governments to pursue better productivity. E come ask wetin dem fit do to use this small stability wey dem dey see to boost growth and welfare outcomes for citizens, especially in di South-West.
As dem dey discuss, e come reveal say dem wan make sure say di states go fit align with di national reforms and also strengthen cooperation for better economic growth. Na true talk be dat. Di economy no fit grow alone if states no gather together and do am as one.
Mr. Adesoji Farayibi, wey be Head of Economic Development and Research for DAWN Commission, come drop di gist say di total budget of N8.7tn dey cut across di region wey Lagos go take over 51% of di budget. Dis one fit bring more people to di table to discuss wetin dey happen for di economy.
Farayibi yan say, if dem wan make di budget work, dem need to stop depending on federal allocations and start to raise their own internal revenue through better tax reforms. He come give shout out to di need for private partnerships as dem no fit just dey rely on government funds. Dem gatz collaborate to make sure say infrastructure dey intact.
From di academic angle, Professor Abiodun Folawewo from University of Ibadan come talk say e no just dey about numbers for budget. Na wetin dem go do with di budget dey matter. If di implementation no follow, wetin di budget talk go just remain for paper. E talk say South-West need to invest heavily for power, because na power dey support productivity.
Mr. Seun Onigbinde, wey dey lead BudgIT, enter di conversation too, come warn say make dem no let political interest determine di budget. Na planning tool dem suppose use am as. If dem dey do projects wey no dey touch di grassroots, wetin be di use? Na only dem go sabi. E dey important make dem evaluate di outcome of wetin dem dey do so that future generations go fit benefit.
This 2026 budget na huge opportunity to step up di economic game for South-West, but e dey important make dem carry everybody along and focus on wetin dey important for di people. As dem dey prepare to roll out dis budget, hope sey dem go treat am like serious business wey go better di life of di citizens.
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