UK envoy praises AbdulRazaq's gender inclusion and digital skills initiative in Kwara

British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, praised Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for advancing women’s rights and political inclusion, noting that his administration has turned the state into a benchmark for gender equity.

The comment was included in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Governor’s Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Mashood Agboola.

Lever made the remarks during a visit to the Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin, where she highlighted the governor’s decision to appoint more than half of his cabinet ministers as women and his support for the special seats legislation for women.

“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,” Lever said.

She continued, “We know that you’ve appointed over 50% of your cabinet roles to women. So women’s representation in political life and lawmaking is essential to Nigeria’s economic development. I think we all see that.

“So I strongly commend you, Your Excellency. You are a model state for gender equity, and your endorsement of the special seats bill for women has earned you ‘HeForShe’ ambassador.”

Lever also noted that the United Kingdom is collaborating with several Nigerian states to boost digital skills and foster innovation among young people in the technology sector.

She explained that her trip to the Ilorin Innovation Hub was intended to evaluate the impact of UK‑funded programmes that aim to develop tech competencies and open pathways for innovators.

“We’re visiting the Ilorin Innovation Hub today to see the progress of that particular set of UK assistance, see how it’s helped to develop skills and develop aspirations in the tech sector. This is allowing innovators to access global networks and opportunities,” she said.

Lever added that the UK’s digital access initiative is helping to nurture talent and expand employment prospects for youth in technology, and that a newly launched community hub in Olayinka, Ifelodun Local Government Area, is projected to serve more than 50,000 residents with digital access and training.

Regarding the upcoming national elections, Lever affirmed the British Government’s commitment to peaceful, inclusive and credible polls, emphasizing that the United Kingdom remains neutral and does not back any political party.

“We all want to see elections that are peaceful, that are inclusive, that are credible, with space for participation, with respect for institutions,” she said.

“The British government, as you’ll understand, Excellency, are entirely 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 added.

In response, Governor AbdulRazaq said his administration has achieved measurable progress across health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure since taking office in 2019.

“We have made significant progress in different sectors of the economy: from health, education, agriculture and road infrastructure. When we came in 2019, things just weren’t working in the state,” the governor said.

He explained that his government inherited challenges such as pension and gratuity backlogs, salary arrears, dilapidated school facilities and the state’s blacklisting by the Universal Basic Education Commission.

“When we came in, 99% of schools did not have WASH facilities and no fencing of schools; teachers were in fact owed months in salary arrears. Today, we are up-to-date in investment in basic education with payment of counterpart funds to UBEC,” he said.

AbdulRazaq added that the state has broadened access to education and health services, cleared salary debts, improved worker welfare and plans to raise the minimum wage to N100,000 this year.

The governor also reported the completion of two Kwara State University campuses in the North and South, and outlined a goal to establish five teaching hospitals before his term ends in 2027.

On agriculture, he said the current administration, aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies, is encouraging farming activities and has set up a shea processing plant in Kaiama, which is expected to become the second‑largest of its kind in Nigeria once operational.

AbdulRazaq concluded by highlighting collaborative efforts by the state government and other partners to strengthen security and protect rural communities from incursions.