British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever has described Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a trailblazer for women's rights and political inclusion, citing the governor's record on gender representation in government. Lever made the remarks during a visit to Government House, Ilorin, on Tuesday, where she commended the Kwara State administration for appointing women into more than half of cabinet positions.
“First of all, you’re a strong advocate for women’s representation in governance and I think Kwara, under your leadership, has been a trailblazer for women’s rights and women’s participation in the political life of your state,” she said. “We know that you’ve appointed over 50 per cent of your cabinet roles to women. Women’s representation in political life and lawmaking is essential to Nigeria’s economic development.”
She added that the governor’s support for the special seats bill for women had earned him recognition as a “HeForShe” ambassador. The British envoy also highlighted ongoing collaboration between the United Kingdom and Nigerian states in developing digital skills and expanding opportunities in the technology sector.
Lever disclosed that the British government would visit the Ilorin Innovation Hub to assess the impact of UK-supported digital initiatives aimed at nurturing young talents and improving access to global technology networks. “We’re very keen through our digital access programme to help improve digital skills, nurture talents, and further the aspirations of young men and women in tech and help them into employment opportunities,” she said.
She further revealed that a community technology hub had recently been launched in Olayinka, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which is expected to benefit more than 50,000 residents through digital access and training opportunities. On Nigeria’s electoral process, Lever reiterated the British government’s support for peaceful, inclusive and credible elections, while stressing that the UK remains politically neutral. “We do not favour one party or another, and we would never be in the business of telling Nigerian people how to vote,” she said.
Governor AbdulRazaq, in his response, said his administration had recorded substantial progress across sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure since assuming office in 2019. According to him, the government inherited challenges ranging from salary arrears and unpaid pensions to poor educational infrastructure and lack of access to basic services.
“When we came in, 99 per cent of schools did not have WASH facilities and no fencing of schools; teachers were owed months in salary arrears,” he said. “Today, we are up to date in investment in basic education with payment of counterpart funds to UBEC. We have expanded access to education, healthcare and we are making prompt payment of salaries as well as improving the welfare of the workforce.”
The governor also disclosed plans to increase the state minimum wage to ₦100,000 later in the year. AbdulRazaq said investments in the education and health sectors had improved access and service delivery, adding that the state would have five teaching hospitals before the end of his administration in 2027. He noted that the government had completed two additional campuses of Kwara State University in Kwara North and Kwara South to expand university education opportunities.
On agriculture, the governor said the state was benefiting from the agricultural reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and disclosed that a shea processing factory under construction in Kaiama would become the second largest in Nigeria when completed. He also outlined ongoing security interventions being implemented in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to improve safety in rural communities across the state.
