Lagos Opens 2027 Budget Consultations, Seeks Public Input

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Lagos State Government has commenced consultations with residents across its five divisions as part of preparations for the 2027 budget, with stakeholders calling for more inclusive development and stronger community participation.

Speaking at the initial Budget Consultative Forum for the Ikeja Division, held at the Multipurpose Hall of Radio Lagos, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Ope George, said the exercise was designed to enable residents to influence government priorities and assess the implementation of demands made during previous consultations.

Mr George said the government would continue to engage residents annually to understand their needs and incorporate feasible demands into its budget.

He explained that the consultation had evolved into a two-way process, with the government presenting an account of previous commitments before receiving fresh demands from residents.

“Every year, we go around our IBILE Divisions to listen to our citizens and hear what they want to see in their upcoming budget,” he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that Lagos had sustained budget performance of about 80 per cent in recent years, with the 2026 budget currently recording between 79 and 80 per cent implementation.

He said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) had also remained strong, typically achieving between 85 and 90 per cent of annual targets, while the latest half-year assessment stood at about 80 per cent.

On the state’s economic output, Mr George said Lagos’ real Gross Domestic Product was estimated at N16.2 trillion, adding that the government tracks both nominal and real GDP.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Olayinka Ojo, said the consultation was no longer limited to receiving requests from residents but had become a platform for feedback, accountability and assessment of government interventions.

She said demands and priorities raised by citizens were documented, reviewed and forwarded to relevant government institutions, with approved requests translated into budgetary interventions.

Mrs Ojo also highlighted the contribution of Community Development Committees (CDCs) and Community Development Associations (CDCs) in strengthening grassroots participation across Lagos’ 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas.