…earmarks 60% for capital projects, infrastructure
By Richard Thomas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has presented the state’s 2027 Appropriation Bill of N1.1 Trillion, describing it as a “Budget of Sustained Progress”, while declaring that the latest resignations by some officials in his administration as inconsequential
Makinde, who described the proposed estimates as the ‘Budget of Sustained Progress’, maintained that the decisions of those who had resigned from his government had no meaning to his administration, despite the political conversations generated by their departures.
The governor made the remarks on Tuesday while presenting the 2027 Appropriation Bill, totalling N1,115,341,378,359.94, before lawmakers at the Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Speaking against the backdrop of the recent resignations, Makinde said he was keeping count of those who had left his administration but insisted that their decisions would not affect the government’s direction or commitment to delivering its mandate.
He also disclosed that one of the female officials who resigned had approached him with what he described as an impossible request, adding that she subsequently tendered her resignation after he declined to grant it.
The governor’s comments came amid a series of departures by political appointees and other government officials, which have generated considerable political discussions in the state.
The presentation of the 2027 budget is particularly significant as it represents the final appropriation bill of Makinde’s administration, which is expected to complete its second term in 2027.
Under the proposed estimates, capital expenditure takes the largest share, with N670,030,943,646, representing 60.07 per cent of the total budget, allocated to capital projects, while recurrent expenditure stands at N445,310,434,739, representing 39.93 per cent.
Explaining the rationale behind the allocation, Makinde said the proposed expenditure reflected his administration’s determination to sustain infrastructure development, consolidate existing achievements and strengthen the delivery of essential services across the state.
He explained that approximately 60 per cent of every N100 provided for in the budget would be devoted to capital investments, stressing that infrastructure development remained central to the state’s economic growth and long-term prosperity.
However, the governor cautioned that physical infrastructure alone could not guarantee meaningful development without adequate investment in human resources and essential public services.
He noted that schools required teachers, hospitals needed healthcare professionals, medicines and equipment, while public institutions must be adequately staffed and equipped to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
According to him, the proposed budget was also shaped by consultations with stakeholders and residents across the state’s administrative and political zones, adding that the priorities, concerns and expectations expressed during the engagements had informed the government’s spending projections.
Makinde further used the occasion to canvass continuity in governance beyond the expiration of his tenure, unveiling what he described as the Omituntun 3.0 agenda.
He said the initiative was designed to ensure that the development trajectory established by his administration over the past seven and a half years would not suffer a reversal after the 2027 governorship election.
The governor said: “Over the last seven-plus years, we have worked towards sustaining the development trajectory of Oyo State. For the candidates we have recommended for continuity, we refer to this agenda as Omituntun 3.0.“
“While political parties may contest elections and some may emerge victorious while others lose, our overriding concern is to ensure that the development of the state does not suffer a setback.“
“For the continued development of Oyo State in 2027 and beyond, I will place this agenda before the Governor, while the incoming administration will also be expected to take it forward from where we stop.”
“The proposed 2027 budget represents a significant increase over the original 2026 appropriation of N891,985,074,480.79, which provided N502,846,477,812.85, representing 56.37 per cent, for capital expenditure and N389,138,596,667.94, representing 43.63 per cent, for recurrent expenditure.“
However, following the approval of a N210 billion supplementary budget by the State House of Assembly in September 2026, the state’s total financial provision for the 2026 fiscal year rose to N1,102,085,074,480.79.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, described the presentation of the 2027 budget as a significant milestone in the state’s democratic and developmental journey, being the final budget cycle of the Makinde administration.
Ogundoyin said the occasion provided an opportunity to consolidate the achievements of the past seven and a half years, sustain ongoing developmental programmes and strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity.
He recalled that the first budget of the Omituntun 2.0 administration was presented before the Assembly on December 5, 2023, noting that the presentation of the 2027 estimates marked another historic moment in the relationship between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government.
The Speaker said: “Your Excellency, your presence here underscores your administration’s respect for constitutional democracy and the cordial working relationship between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government in our state.”
He noted that Oyo State had witnessed considerable transformation in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and other critical sectors under the present administration.
According to him, investments in road construction and rehabilitation, school infrastructure, healthcare facilities, agricultural development and workers’ welfare demonstrated the government’s determination to reposition the state for sustainable development.
Ogundoyin also disclosed that the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly, since its inauguration in June 2023, had passed 41 bills into law, processed 146 committee reports and 184 motions, and adopted more than 1,500 resolutions on issues affecting the welfare, security and development of residents.
He said the Assembly had also strengthened participatory lawmaking through public hearings and stakeholders’ engagements, disclosing that it had organised 11 major public hearings and stakeholders’ meetings within the period under review.
Among the legislative proposals and policy issues considered, he listed 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 added that the Assembly had also engaged stakeholders on market administration, cooperative societies, public safety and the remuneration of political and public office holders.
The Speaker identified the establishment of a Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) Unit in January 2025 as one of the outstanding institutional achievements of the 10th Assembly, describing the Oyo legislature as the first State House of Assembly in Nigeria to establish a dedicated unit for the exercise.
He explained that the unit had so far scrutinised the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, and the Oyo State Security Network Agency Law, 2020, to assess their implementation, identify challenges and make recommendations for improved effectiveness.
Ogundoyin disclosed that recommendations arising from the scrutiny of the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law had informed the progress of its amendment bill, which had passed second reading in the Assembly.
He further revealed that a post-legislative scrutiny inquiry had commenced on the Oyo State Sexual and Gender-Based Response Agency and Referral Law.
On security, the Speaker said the Assembly had organised a security summit, bringing together relevant stakeholders to examine the security situation in the state and develop practical solutions to emerging challenges.
He maintained that the legislature had continued to discharge its constitutional oversight responsibilities beyond the passage of appropriation bills, with a commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.
While commending his colleagues for their cooperation and dedication, Ogundoyin also acknowledged the contributions of the Clerk of the House and the entire legislative workforce to the effective functioning of the Assembly.
On the 2027 appropriation estimates, he assured the governor that the House would subject the proposal to thorough legislative scrutiny, with the overriding interest of the people of Oyo State as its guiding principle.
“Your Excellency, as we receive the 2027 Budget Estimates, we are mindful of its importance as the final budget cycle of your administration.“
“We expect it to consolidate the gains already recorded, prioritise the completion of ongoing projects and address critical developmental needs across the state.“
“As a House, we shall give the proposed budget the necessary legislative attention and scrutiny, guided by the overriding interest of the people of Oyo State.”
The Speaker also appealed to Makinde to address some welfare concerns raised by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Oyo State Chapter.
He listed the requests to include an upward review of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) to 100 per cent, regularisation of ad-hoc staff appointments and the release of a bus earlier approved for the association.
Ogundoyin said addressing the requests would improve staff welfare, strengthen institutional capacity, enhance productivity and sustain industrial harmony within the Legislative Arm.
On the forthcoming 2027 general elections, the Speaker expressed confidence that residents would reciprocate what he described as the administration’s commitment to good governance, infrastructural development and people-centred policies by supporting candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) across the state.
He further expressed optimism that an incoming APM administration would faithfully implement the proposed 2027 budget and complete the projects and programmes contained in it, thereby ensuring continuity, stability and sustained development.
The Speaker reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to working with the Executive in the consideration of the 2027 estimates, while wishing the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly continued success in its legislative responsibilities.
Earlier, lawmakers representing different constituencies across the state took turns to commend Makinde’s administration, describing its leadership as visionary, inclusive and people-oriented.
They highlighted what they considered significant achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare and the general welfare of residents since the administration assumed office in 2019.
The lawmakers particularly applauded the administration’s investment in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), describing the acquisition of sole ownership of the institution by the Oyo State Government as a landmark achievement in the state’s education sector.
They also commended the administration’s interventions across different sectors, arguing that the state had witnessed considerable progress under Makinde’s leadership.
Some of the lawmakers further praised the governor’s commitment to meritocracy, maintaining that his administration had provided opportunities for individuals without established political connections or godfathers to rise to positions of responsibility.
They argued that the governor’s approach to governance had broadened opportunities within the state’s political and administrative structures, allowing competence and individual capacity to play greater roles in public service appointments.
