The Oyo State Government has earmarked ₦4.278 billion for the conduct of chairmanship and councillorship elections scheduled for December 29, 2026, across the state’s 33 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday following the State Executive Council meeting, where the funding arrangements were approved.
Oyelade said the council approved the release of the state’s counterpart funding to the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) to enable it to begin preparations for the elections.
According to the commissioner, the 33 local government areas will contribute 60 per cent of the election funds, amounting to ₦2.5 billion, while the state government will provide the remaining 40 per cent, estimated at ₦1.7 billion.
The December polls will determine the next chairpersons and councillors across the state’s local government areas.
Oyo approves ₦437m for nursing programme
The commissioner also announced that the State Executive Council approved ₦437,446,393.58 for the accreditation requirements of the Nursing Programme at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University.
He explained that the funding would support the institution’s efforts to diversify beyond its traditional focus on science and technology and improve its capacity for self-sustainability.
According to Oyelade, the university is at the final stage of the accreditation process, warning that failure to meet the professional accreditation deadline could jeopardise the investment already made in the programme.
He added that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde had spent more than ₦3 billion on equipment for the commencement of the nursing programme.
₦13.49bn approved for LAUTECH annex
Oyelade further disclosed that the council approved ₦6.744 billion as the state government’s 50 per cent counterpart funding for the construction, renovation and equipping of the Oyo Annex of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
Oyo East Local Government Area will provide the remaining 50 per cent, bringing the total funding for the project to ₦13.489 billion.
Explaining the importance of the project, the commissioner said a significant proportion of patients receiving treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso come from Oyo and neighbouring communities.
“About 70 per cent of patients accessing services at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, are from Oyo and its environs,” he said.
The proposed annex is expected to support healthcare delivery and improve access to medical services for residents of Oyo and surrounding communities.
