AN EVALUATION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN KWARA STATE UNDER A DEMOCRATIC SETTING: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS (1999-2015)

The article examines the socio-economic development of Kwara State from 1999 to 2015. The aim of the study focuses on administrative problems and prospects after the transition to civilian government. This political achievement paved the way for the people to hold their leaders accountable in the state. Kwara State, a federation unit in Nigeria benefits from the Federation Account for socio-economic development. The objective of this study is to evaluate the policy framework that drives the socio-economic development. In view of this stance, the executive governor is the head of civil service administration in the state. Therefore, the successive governors, starting from Governor Muhammad Lawal late (1999-2003), Governor Bukola Saraki (2003-2011) and Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed 2011-2015 respectively are instrumental in policy-making. However, their campaign promises are embedded in the individual manifesto with intention of actualising the expectations of the people. The individual governor derived its socio-economic policy from the Scheme of Kwara State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (KWASEEDS). It is reported from the data collected from the interview scheduled that, there has been socio-economic development in Kwara State, rather it has not commensurate with the expectations of the people within the focus periods. The research method adopted in the study is quantitative and qualitative approach. The implication is that the campaign promises had not reflected on the expectations of the people in Kwara State due to unethical electoral process in the state.