The Kogi State Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning has held a citizens’ engagement and stakeholders’ town hall as part of ongoing process towards the formulation of the 2026 state budget.
The event, which took place on Thursday, October 24, 2025, brought together representatives from civil society organizations, youth groups, professional associations, traditional institutions, and the private sector.
In his opening address, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris, emphasized that the goal of the meeting was to ensure inclusive stakeholder participation in the preparation of the 2026 fiscal budget.
He noted that effective governance thrives on transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
Hon. Idris noted that the active participation of stakeholders including representatives of civil society organizations, youth and women groups, traditional institutions, professional associations, and the private sector reflects the state’s collective commitment to shaping a responsive and inclusive budget.
He reiterated that the government remains open to constructive feedback and collaboration that would enhance service delivery and ensure equitable resource allocation across all sectors.
The Commissioner also presented a performance review of the 2025 state budget from January to September, highlighting key achievements and areas for improvement.
He encouraged participants to ask questions, make suggestions, and share insights that would help shape a more people-oriented budget for the coming year.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), Mr. Hamza Aliyu, commended the state government for institutionalizing citizen participation in the budgeting process.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the principles of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), which promotes transparency, inclusiveness, and public feedback in governance.
Aliyu further called for advocacy on government activities to be localized to address community needs in critical sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and youth development.
Stakeholders at the meeting made several recommendations, including increased investment in youth empowerment, education, healthcare, transportation, and citizens’ welfare.
