By Faith Ajiboye, Aishat Ahmed and Misturah Yusuf
The Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo (T.A.T), has assured all stakeholders of an inclusive governance process in the preparation of the 2026 budget, describing the engagement as a defining moment in deepening participatory governance and ensuring community ownership in budget formulation.
He further assured participants that all inputs deliberated and tabled during the forum would be fully considered in the drafting of the 2026 fiscal document.
Taiwo affirmed that the 2026 budget has been strategically designed to capture the priorities of residents while aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the THEMES Plus developmental focus of Lagos State.
According to the council boss, the 2026 Appropriation Bill, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope and Inclusive Growth,” is a practical and people-centered roadmap aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, expanding access to healthcare, empowering the youth, stimulating local economic growth, promoting environmental sustainability, and advancing digital innovation and civic participation in governance.
He explained that the budget is anchored on the S.H.I.E.L.D Agenda, a localised development framework designed by his administration to address key areas including security and safety of residents, improved healthcare delivery, renewal of public infrastructure, advancement of education and youth development, environmental preservation, economic empowerment of local entrepreneurs, and the integration of digital solutions to enhance service delivery and strengthen civic engagement. “The proposed budget will prioritise road rehabilitation, drainage construction, primary healthcare enhancement, the establishment of entrepreneurship hubs, provision of educational resources and ICT centres in public schools, and the creation of platforms that enable citizens to participate actively in governance,” he said.
The council boss noted that the forum represented a collaborative exercise aimed at co-creating a budget that speaks directly to the needs of the people. He encouraged residents, associations, and stakeholder groups to submit their proposed projects for consideration, reaffirming that the administration is committed to initiatives that improve quality of life and promote sustainable development.
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He also appealed to residents to support government initiatives through the prompt payment of rates and levies, emphasising that adequate revenue generation is essential to delivering the projects and programmes outlined in the proposed budget.
Taiwo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and policy direction, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda continues to inspire progress across all tiers of government and drive development at the grassroots.
The Council Manager, Mr. Olusegun Ajagunna, stated that the stakeholders’ forum was convened to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and adequately reflected in the forthcoming 2026 budget.
Ajagunna emphasised that the council places a high premium on participatory governance, adding that the forum serves as a vital platform to identify the pressing needs, priorities, and aspirations of every community within the council.
Head of the Budget, Planning and Statistics Department, Mrs. Lambo Oluwabunmi, said the forum reflected Aare Taiwo’s commitment to inclusive governance and equal representation in addressing the needs of residents at the local level.