The Lagos State Government has commenced public consultations for its 2027 budget, opening discussions with residents across the state’s five divisions as part of efforts to align spending priorities with community needs.
The first consultation for the 2027 budget cycle was held at the Multipurpose Hall, Radio Lagos, Agidingbi, Ikeja, where residents and community representatives were given an opportunity to review previous government interventions and present fresh priorities for the coming fiscal year.
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ope George, said the annual exercise is designed to allow the government to hear directly from residents and reflect their most pressing needs in the budget preparation process.
“Every year, we go around our IBILE Divisions to listen to our citizens and hear what they want to see in their upcoming budget,” George said.
He added that the Ikeja Division forum marked the beginning of consultations for the 2027 budget.
Government Reviews Previous Requests
George said the consultation process also serves as an accountability mechanism, allowing the government to report back on demands presented by communities during the previous year.
According to him, each new consultation begins with an assessment of what residents requested in the previous cycle and what the government has been able to deliver.
“This year, we’ve come in; we’ve given an account of what they asked us for last year. And we’ve shown them what we’ve done. And they’ve given us what they want for the new budget going on,” he said.
He explained that this approach gives residents an opportunity not only to make new requests but also to assess the level of government response to earlier commitments.
The process is expected to continue across the remaining IBILE divisions as the state builds its spending plan for 2027.
Lagos Records About 80% Budget Performance
The Commissioner also provided an update on the state’s 2026 fiscal performance, saying Lagos has maintained a minimum budget performance of about 80 per cent in recent years.
He said the latest assessment placed the state’s 2026 budget implementation at approximately 79 to 80 per cent.
“Every year, we perform minimum 80% on our budget over the last couple of years. So, as of the last check, we are close to 80% or 79%,” George said.
On Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, the Commissioner said Lagos had also sustained relatively strong performance.
According to him, the state typically records between 85 and 90 per cent of its IGR target during the year, while the latest half-year assessment showed performance at about 80 per cent.
“Now, in terms of our IGR, we always perform close to 85-90% of our IGR within Lagos State. So, as of our last half year, we’re also at 80% now for our IGR,” he said.
Lagos GDP Put at N16.2tn in Real Terms
George also said Lagos State’s real Gross Domestic Product was currently estimated at about N16.2 trillion.
He noted that the state tracks both nominal and real GDP as part of its economic planning and performance monitoring.
The figure provides part of the broader economic context for the 2027 budget preparation process, particularly as Lagos continues to manage the demands associated with rapid population growth, infrastructure pressure and expanding public services.
Consultation Now Focuses on Accountability
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Olayinka Ojo, said the consultative forum had evolved beyond simply receiving requests from residents.
She said it now functions as a platform for feedback, accountability and engagement between government and communities.
According to Ojo, views, requests and priorities submitted during the consultations are documented, reviewed and forwarded to the relevant government institutions.
Approved and prioritised requests are then expected to be translated into projects and interventions.
She also highlighted the role of grassroots community structures, particularly Community Development Committees and Community Development Associations operating across the state’s 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
Community Leaders Commend Process
Chairman of the Community Development Committee, Isolo LCDA, and an executive member of the Lagos State Community Development Council, Adesegun Olatunde, commended the consultation process and said repeated government responses had encouraged community leaders to remain engaged.
Olatunde said he had participated in the consultations for close to eight years and had seen a significant proportion of requests from communities addressed through the budget process.
He acknowledged that not every request could be implemented but said the response rate remained encouraging.
“I’ve been coming for close to eight years. And I tell you, at worst, 70 per cent of what we request is attended to, which shows a pass mark,” he said.
The Lagos State Government is expected to continue the consultation exercise across the remaining divisions before finalising the 2027 budget proposal.
The process will provide residents with additional opportunities to influence spending priorities in areas such as infrastructure, education, health, transportation, security and community development.
