Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State has unveiled the new Ilorin City Master Plan, emphasizing the pressing need to address the social consequences of population growth. Speaking at the official launch of the project at the Government House in Ilorin, the governor highlighted Ilorin’s status as the third most populous metro area in Northern Nigeria, following Kaduna and Kano.
Citing data from the United Nations world population prospects, Abdulrazaq expressed concern over Ilorin’s population growth rate, which ranged from 2.53 percent in 2020 to 3.3 percent in 2024. He stressed the profound implications of these statistics for infrastructure, health, security, and overall quality of life, underscoring the necessity of proactive planning to mitigate these challenges.
Abdulrazaq emphasized the responsibility of leaders to address present challenges while preparing for future realities. He outlined the Ilorin City Master Plan as a strategic initiative aimed at guiding sustainable living for the next four decades. Additionally, he introduced the concept of the Ilorin Smart City, designed to address contemporary urban challenges such as congestion and infrastructure strain.
The governor revealed that the initial phase of the ambitious project will cover 11,000 hectares, requiring an estimated funding of N1.72 trillion from both public and private investments between 2024 and 2027. Shittu Abdulmutalib, Chairman of the Ilorin City Master Plan project, emphasized that the plan aims to elevate the standard of living and transform Ilorin into a sought-after tourist destination, attracting both local and international investors.
In conclusion, Abdulrazaq expressed the ultimate goal of making Ilorin the premier city to reside in throughout the nation.
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