Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has presented a proposed budget of ₦1.12 trillion for the 2027 fiscal year, with public infrastructure receiving the largest allocation of ₦236.15 billion.
Makinde presented the appropriation bill, tagged Sustained Progress, before the state House of Assembly in Ibadan on Tuesday, saying it was designed to consolidate the achievements of his administration and advance ongoing legacy projects.
Giving a breakdown of the proposal, the governor said ₦670 billion, representing 61 per cent of the total budget, had been earmarked for capital expenditure, while ₦444 billion was allocated to recurrent expenditure.
He explained that infrastructure development remained a major priority of his administration, accounting for the largest share of the proposed spending.
The education sector received the second-highest allocation of ₦190.6 billion, followed by the health sector with ₦93.01 billion.
The governor also highlighted the growth in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said had increased from ₦26.95 billion in 2019, when he assumed office, to ₦103.25 billion in 2026.
Makinde further disclosed that his administration had returned more than 65,000 out-of-school children to the classroom.
“Our administration has taken over 65,000 out-of-school children back to the classroom,” he said.
He stressed the importance of prudent financial management to ensure effective implementation of the proposed budget and sustain the reforms and infrastructure projects established by his government.
The governor also defended his administration’s tractorisation policy and decision to privatise tractor services, describing the approach as part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity.
On the recent wave of resignations involving political appointees and other government officials, Makinde said he was keeping track of those who had left but maintained that their decisions would not affect his administration.
He also disclosed that a female official who resigned had approached him with what he described as an impossible request. According to him, she submitted her resignation after he rejected the request.
The comments marked his first public reaction to the wave of resignations and defections involving members of his administration.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the governor’s presence at the budget presentation demonstrated his administration’s respect for constitutional democracy and the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Ogundoyin described the proposed appropriation as the final budget of the current administration, saying it provided an opportunity to consolidate achievements recorded over the past seven and a half years, sustain ongoing development programmes and strengthen the foundation for long-term growth.
He also outlined the legislative achievements of the 10th Assembly, stating that since June 2023, the House had passed 41 bills into law, processed 146 committee reports and 184 motions, and adopted more than 1,500 resolutions.
The Speaker highlighted public engagements on major legislative proposals, including the Oyo State Real Properties Protection Bill, Presumptive Tax Bill, Consumer Protection Agency Bill, Oyo State Roads Fund Bill and Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Bill.
He further noted that the establishment of the Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit in January 2025 made the Oyo Assembly the first state legislature in Nigeria to establish a dedicated unit for the purpose.
On the 2027 budget proposal, Ogundoyin assured the governor that lawmakers would subject it to the necessary legislative scrutiny, guided by the interests of residents.
He also called for improved welfare for legislative staff, presenting requests from the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN). The demands included an increase in the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) to 100 per cent, regularisation of ad-hoc staff appointments and the release of a bus previously approved for the association.
Speaking on the forthcoming political cycle, Ogundoyin expressed confidence that voters in the state would support candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) across the state.
He also expressed hope that Makinde would emerge as President of Nigeria in May 2027, saying the governor’s vision and proposed Reset Nigeria agenda could be taken to the national level.
