The Kwara State Government on Tuesday refuted reports circulating on social media that alleged the inclusion of funds for new vehicles for government officials in the 2026 state budget, categorizing these claims as inaccurate.
Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor stated in an official statement that “A few days ago, people tagged me to an anonymous X handle who said that Kwara State budgeted N10.3bn for new cars in 2026 and only N203m for school facilities.
“It added that the state spent N3.7bn buying new cars and N16m on school facilities in 2025. It is a classic example of disinformation. The agenda of the handle is not clear, but it is hardly noble or in pursuit of the public good. The claims are false.”
“Last year alone, Kwara State Government paid N3,554,642,584.46 counterpart funding to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
“In turn, the state accessed N7,109,285,168.92 with which it has constructed 92 blocks of two classrooms each; renovated 193 classrooms; built 36 units of four-compartment VIP toilets; installed 36 solar-powered boreholes; fabricated 14,056 units of student furniture; and constructed perimeter fencing across 19 schools, among others,” he said.
“In 2025, the administration purchased 640,728 textbooks in core subjects such as Mathematics and English Language, valued at N4,895,632,418.
“These included 12,780 library books, 100 special education materials, 260 ECCDE chairs and tables, 3,931 sports equipment items, and 78 Maga Tab X tablets for digital learning.”
“The government needs to purchase vehicles for different official uses.
“Last year, for instance, the government bought new SUVs for judges and senior public servants.
“The new National Judicial Council (NJC) rule is that no state shall appoint new judges without providing them with vehicles. Even so, the government spent only 29 per cent, or N3.8bn, of the N13.3bn budgeted for motor vehicles, vans, and buses.”
On the 2026 budget, Ajakaye stated, “The government has budgeted N35.4bn for education and N13.3bn for vehicles, clearly contradicting the social media claims.
“These figures do not reflect the overall budget for the Ministry of Education, especially the recurrent expenditure.”
“The fact-free social media comments were made to portray the government as irresponsible and instigate the public against it.
“More fabrications will come from bad-faith actors and hired hands in the coming months. It is our duty to be wary of claims made by persons with doubtful antecedents and those with probable intention to mislead the public for political gains.”