Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has revealed that the state's planned Kwara Smart City project, which is currently underway, will accommodate at least 540,000 residents upon completion.

Speaking at the Kwara Real Estate 2025 conference in Ilorin on Saturday, the governor stated that the city acquired on 19,000 hectares of land will integrate residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational facilities. The event, themed "Aspiring To Elevate" , was organised by Jibzit Properties Limited's CEO, Dr Azeez Adigun, in collaboration with Kabad Nigeria Limited.

Governor AbdulRazaq, represented by Dr Segun Ogunsola, Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, explained that the smart city initiative was designed to address the population growth anticipated in Nigeria over the next two and a half years.

He noted that the government, as part of its urban renewal project, had improved the state infrastructure with a 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 is: what are we doing preparatory for this demographic fact in all aspects of our lives, economy, agriculture, environment, housing, infrastructure?

"So, as a government, the vision for Kwara has to do with having the ability to address these problems.

"Having looked at the challenges of accommodation in Ilorin and of course our towns in Kwara, we 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," he said.

The governor said the government was not just thinking about the future, it focused on today as well.

"For anyone who has not visited Ilorin in the last five or six years, you see a massive change in our urban landscape.

"It is certain that you see the panoramic change from Ahmadu Bello Way and every nook and cranny of this town (Ilorin).

"His Excellency has worked tirelessly to ensure that we live more sustainably," he said.

Fagbemi, who spoke through Kehinde Eleja (SAN), noted that shelter had remained a major issue around the globe, hence the imperative of private sector professionals collaborating with the government to curb the trend.

He urged the convener of the conference to take into account quality assurance and compliance with a regulatory framework with a view to preventing any hurdle.

The convener, 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.

He stated that the event was also meant to explore the fundamental pillars of real estate, including purpose, product, people, and process.

"We are here to challenge the status quo, to innovate, and to collaborate on solutions that will shape the future of Kwara's urban landscape," he said.

The Chairman of the Kwara State branch of the Real Developers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kamar Abioye, 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.

He, however, said his association had remained committed to empowering developers, advocating enabling policies, and fostering collaborations that had opened doors of opportunity for many of its members.