IKEJA LG CHAIRMAN PRESENTS N13.92BN 2026 ‘BUDGET OF BETTER DAYS 1.0’, SEEKS COUNCIL APPROVAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

‎The Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Dauda (AKOD), has defended the proposed ₦13.92 billion 2026 budget, describing it as a practical roadmap for delivering improved infrastructure, education, healthcare and social development to residents.

‎Speaking shortly after presenting the budget tagged “Budget of Better Days 1.0” to the Ikeja Legislative Council, the chairman said the proposal was rooted in the administration’s campaign manifesto, Better Days, which guided its policy direction upon assuming office in July 2025.

‎“When we assumed office in July 2025, we came in with a manifesto we called Better Days. From that manifesto, we realised that for us to truly give the people of Ikeja better governance, we must also have a budget that speaks directly to better days,” Dauda said.

‎According to him, the budget was designed to consolidate early gains recorded within the administration’s first 100 days in office, during which several projects were delivered across the local government.

‎“In our first 100 days, we delivered four roads to the people of Ikeja. We also rehabilitated and renovated 12 classrooms. We acquired two parcels of land for new health centres one at Ipodo/Aworun in Ward A and another at Alausa in Ward F,” he said.

‎Dauda added that his administration also carried out empowerment programmes for 550 residents, implemented a back-to-school initiative for pupils, and rolled out welfare support for the elderly.

‎The 2026 budget proposal stands at ₦13,923,882,601.48, with ₦7.35 billion (52.8%) earmarked for recurrent expenditure and ₦6.57 billion (47.2%) allocated to capital projects.

‎Major capital allocations include, Works and Infrastructure – 26.8%, covering road construction, drainage and public facility upgrades

‎Education – 7.09%, for school rehabilitation and learning support

‎Health – 4.80%, targeted at strengthening primary healthcare

‎Environment – 4.08%, focusing on sanitation and waste management

‎Human Capital Development – 5.03%, covering youth empowerment, women development and social welfare programmes

‎The chairman expressed optimism that the council would expedite the budget review process.

‎“By God’s grace, I know that in the next two weeks, the leaders and councillors will do justice to the budget and return it to us, so that by January 1, we can kick-start even more better days for the people of Ikeja,” he said.

‎Appealing directly to residents, Dauda stressed the need for cooperation through prompt payment of taxes and rates to enable the local government to meet its development targets.

‎“Our budget proposal is about ₦13 billion, and for us to achieve this, we need more funds. I appeal to the people of Ikeja to look at what we have done in the last 100 days and have confidence that whatever they give us will be used judiciously,” he said.

‎He assured residents that transparency, accountability and value for money would remain central to his administration’s governance approach.

‎“If the people cooperate with us by paying their rates and taxes as and when due, we will deliver more infrastructure, better education, improved healthcare, and greater empowerment for our youth and women,” the chairman added.

‎The budget is currently before the Ikeja Legislative Council for deliberation and approval.

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