Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday presented a ₦492.79 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a blueprint to consolidate economic gains and accelerate development across key sectors.
Addressing lawmakers at the Assembly complex in Akure, the Governor said the fiscal proposal—tagged “Budget of Economic Consolidation”—was crafted to deepen reforms, sustain momentum from the outgoing year, and strengthen socio-economic resilience amid revenue constraints.
He acknowledged the “unwavering cooperation” of the legislature and the support of citizens, noting that such synergy had been crucial for governance stability despite persistent national economic headwinds.
Governor Aiyedatiwa explained that the 2025 budget had been revised from ₦698.659 billion to ₦489.998 billion after donor inflows and other expected revenues failed to materialise.
He said current data showed that only half of the anticipated funds would arrive, posing “serious risk to water sector performance and the jobs and economic benefits” earlier projected.
The Governor maintained that the downward review was necessary to eliminate unrealistic expectations and realign spending with actual receipts. Despite the adjustment, he insisted that the administration recorded “remarkable progress” through prudent fiscal management.
He highlighted sweeping achievements in education, including the recruitment of 2,100 teachers, payment of WAEC fees running into hundreds of millions, full sponsorship of NABTEB examinations for public-school students, and scholarship and bursary support reaching thousands of tertiary learners.
He added that OSOPADEC separately supported beneficiaries across its mandate areas.
Infrastructure development also featured prominently in the performance review, with extensive rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools, upgrades of technical colleges, and ongoing expansion of OAUSTECH, including plans for a School of Maritime Studies in partnership with the Caribbean Maritime University of Jamaica.
“In the health sector, the Orange Health Insurance Scheme was expanded, while over 40,000 women and children continued to benefit from the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Scheme”, he said.
The Governor disclosed that no fewer than 102 primary healthcare centres had been upgraded under the World Bank-assisted IMPACT Project, in addition to major road works across the state.
“Road and infrastructure development formed a major highlight of the 2025 performance review”, the Governor added.
He noted substantial progress on the dualisation of the Oke-Aro–Idanre Road, the Akungba–Ikare Road, and the 27.5km Okitipupa–Igbokoda Road. He said the Onyearugbulem–Shagari–Irese Flyover was nearing completion, while over 60km of new roads were under construction or rehabilitation, complemented by 386km of rural roads executed under RAAMP.
“Water projects were also executed, including rehabilitated schemes in Oke-Igbo, Oba Akoko, Idoani, Okitipupa, Ilutitun and Araromi-Obu, while the Owena Multipurpose Dam and the Owena–Ondo Water Supply Scheme continued to advance, expected to serve six LGAs in the Central District.
“The agriculture sector recorded expanded land acquisition of 26,000 hectares, rural market upgrades in three LGAs, construction of a modern Farmers’ Market in Akure, distribution of over two million cocoa seedlings, and livestock support under the L-PRES programme.
“On power development, the State had revived the long-abandoned Omotosho 2×15MW power plant, operationalised solar mini-grids in 30 communities and issued new generation and distribution licences through the State Electricity Bureau. The Bureau also licensed mini-grid developers to deepen rural energy access.
“Environmental management efforts included dredging waterways in high-risk flood zones, distribution of relief materials to storm victims, stocking of the SEMA warehouse for 2025 emergencies, and sustained urban sanitation across major towns.
“The OD-CARES programme supported 10,550 households with bimonthly ₦20,000 cash transfers, provided labour-intensive jobs for 19,985 residents, and issued grants of ₦300,000 to ₦600,000 to 1,863 small businesses.
“On social welfare, the government released ₦2.396bn to settle gratuities for retirees of 2016 and 2017, in addition to earlier payments of ₦1.4bn for local government and primary school retirees. The School Shuttle Scheme, abandoned since 2020, was restored with a ₦701m allocation for land and waterways transport in Akure, Ilaje and Ese-Odo.”
He said digital infrastructure and youth empowerment also received priority, with over 500 youths trained in ICT, improved connectivity across MDAs, and a new Tech Hub at OAUSTECH due for commissioning. A two-day AI Adoption Summit was held to chart a state-wide framework for emerging technologies.
On the 2026 budget framework, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the proposal is anchored on macro-economic indicators adopted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, though he warned that the new VAT sharing formula—50% equal share, 20% population, 30% consumption—may disadvantage states like Ondo due to their economic structure.
He outlined eight policy thrusts for the coming year, centred on food security, human capital development, infrastructure expansion, internal revenue reform, community development, social protection, economic diversification and prudent fiscal management.
The proposed budget allocates 57.22% to capital projects and 42.78% to recurrent spending a ratio the Governor described as evidence of the administration’s resolve to complete ongoing projects and avoid abandoned sites across the state.
He thanked lawmakers and stakeholders from security agencies to traditional institutions and civil society groups, for their cooperation throughout the year and appealed for swift but diligent passage of the Appropriation Bill.
In his remarks, Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, commended the timely submission of the budget and acknowledged the Governor’s leadership, which he said had fostered a stable working relationship between the executive and legislature.
He also hailed the approval of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Scheme Fund for the first time in 2026, saying it would enhance the productivity of Assembly workers.
Oladiji reaffirmed the House’s readiness to collaborate with the administration to advance the state’s development.
The presentation was witnessed by top government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr. Bayo Philips; members of the Executive Council, agency heads and political appointees.
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