Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has disclosed that the state’s Smart City project is designed to house no fewer than 540,000 residents of the state.
Governor AbdulRazaq explained that the planned city, when operational, will factor in residential, commercial, industrial and recreational facilities, adding that it was poised to integrate social, economy and environment.
AbdulRazaq said this at the opening of Kwara Real Estate Conference (KWAREC) 2025, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Urban and Housing Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, said the smart city was conceived to cater for the nation’s population explosion which is expected in the next two decades and a half.
He noted that the government, as part of its urban renewal project, has improved the state infrastructure with quality road network.
“It has been predicted that Nigeria, in the next 25 years, will become the third most populous country in the world. So, we have India, China and others. And the question lies; what are we doing preparatory for this demographic fact in all aspects of our lives; economy, agriculture, environment, housing, and infrastructure?
“So, as a government, His Excellency’s vision for Kwara has to do with having ability to address these problems without compromising our tomorrow. The Governor, having looked at the challenges of accommodation in Ilorin and of course, our towns in Kwara, brought about the idea of Kwara Smart City. A city for tomorrow. A city that would house 540,000 people, well planned in the areas of residential, commercial, industrial and recreational. A city that is poised to integrate social, economy and environment.”
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said it was herculean for the government to meet the accommodation need of the people owing to the limited resources at its disposal.
Fagbemi, who spoke through Barr. Kehinde Eleja (SAN), noted that shelter remained a major issue around the globe, hence the imperative of private sector practitioners collaborating with the government to curb the ugly trend.
The Convener of the event, Dr Azeez Adigun, said the conference represented a crucial step forward in shaping the future of real estate, not only in Kwara, but as a model for sustainable and inclusive development across the country.
Chairman of Real Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Chief Kamar Abioye, in his remarks, described the conference as a clear testimony that Kwara was ready to take its place as a thriving hub for real estate growth and innovation.
