By Esther Onyegbula

Executive Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Prince Lanre Sanusi, has assured residents that their needs will form the core of the council’s 2026 budget, declaring that his administration will align its development agenda with priorities presented by community stakeholders.

Sanusi gave the assurance at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on the 2026 Budget held at the Council Secretariat, 41 Road, Festac Town. He stated that the forum signified the council’s commitment to inclusive governance and grassroots development.

“The primary purpose why we are here today is not for a social gathering; it is for the 2026 budget for our local government,” he said.
“We have listened to the stakeholders, and you can be rest assured that we will work with the yearnings and requests of everyone. Your priorities are our priorities, your needs are our needs,” he further reiterated.

Sanusi, who marks his first 100 days in office this week, said his administration has embarked on capital-driven projects and human-capital initiatives to accelerate grassroots development, adding that improved revenue from the federation account following President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms has strengthened local capacity for service delivery.

Commending the President, he said: “The removal of fuel subsidies has added so much value to our federation account. What we used to get in the past is not what we are getting now. For every local government, we have no reason not to perform. All local governments are now smiling, and that should reflect in community projects and programmes.”

He also urged traders and residents to collaborate with the council, stressing that support for businesses must align with environmental and urban regulations. “We will support your business, but don’t sell on the walkways, don’t sell on the street. There are other ways for us to accommodate you and locate where you can do your businesses,” he said.

Sanusi further emphasised unity and non-partisan cooperation for development, saying: “This is governance. It is about the development of our local government.”

Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, reaffirmed the state government’s approval for the rehabilitation of 2nd and 7th Avenue roads in FESTAC, saying Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had already endorsed the projects.

“Consider it done,” Oyerinde declared.
“Since the Governor has approved it, there is no reason for doubt,” he said.

During the interactive session, ward representatives presented different priority needs, ranging from infrastructure to youth empowerment and water supply.

Chairman of Ward A, Niyi Agiri, listed flooding, water system revival and a year-long skills acquisition programme as top demands. “We want a skills centre where our youth can be trained and supported with equipment and seed funding,” he said. He also called for intervention to revive the abandoned Lagos State Water Corporation facility in the area.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Community Development Committee, Waidi Atanda Onilewura, lauded the consultation model, saying: “Governance is about satisfying people. When you tailor your budget towards the people’s needs, there will be good governance.”

Evangelist Egunjobi Raphael described the forum as critical to inclusive planning. “Without budgeting, you cannot say what you want to do. This gives stakeholders the opportunity to present their needs,” he said.

The highlight of the event was the community-to-government engagement session, where residents’ submissions were taken as inputs for the 2026 fiscal plan.

Sanusi assured that all contributions would be documented and reflected in the final budget, promising to “fast-track development, strengthen security, and promote youth empowerment and community welfare” in the coming year.