Politics
THE Oyo State Government has increased its 2026 budget from N892 billion to N1.1 trillion.
This increment was announced in a statement issued in Ibadan on Wednesday by the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
The commissioner indicated that the State Executive Council (SEC) approved the increase during its weekly meeting on Tuesday.
According to Oyelade, the approval is to meet the aspirations of the Seyi Makinde-led administration to complete all ongoing projects across the state before the end of the administration.
He disclosed that some ministries, departments, and agencies had requested a budget increase.
The commissioner stated that the council also approved the release of N8.7 billion to procure teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
He said the total cost of the project is N23 billion, stating that the money approved for release was the first tranche.
“In accordance with UBEC Abuja, in collaboration with the World Bank, the textbooks to be purchased will be in Numeracy, Literacy, Mathematics, English Language, and Basic Science.
“Upon the successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State becomes eligible for a reward-based disbursement of US$2 per student per subject, in line with the project’s results-based financing arrangement,” he said.
Oyelade further announced that the council approved the payment of $250,000 to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to provide the state a good footing in attracting investment in Africa.
“The council also approved the total sum of N5.9 billion for the implementation of the 2026 work plan of the Health Insurance and Food Security components of SAfER.
“SAfER was established by Gov. Makinde in 2023 to cushion the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
“As a result, transportation fares were reduced for workers, elderly people, and the vulnerable.
“Food was equally distributed, health insurance was established for pensioners, and the government also supported small-scale entrepreneurs.
“The council was convinced that this assistance should continue because the hardship being experienced by citizens has not abated,” the commissioner stated.
He equally revealed that the council congratulated Makinde over the return of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to the elite continental competition after 27 years.
“During the meeting, the council also appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to allow students to go back to school and discontinue the disruption of the academic calendar any further.
“While the reasons for the withdrawal of the teachers from school by the NUT are understandable, the collateral implications, both social and economic, are raising unintended concerns and should equally be considered by the NUT.
“It reassured that the government is taking strategic steps to ensure that the issue of the kidnapping at Oriire LGA is brought to a close soon,” he stated. (NAN)
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Tags: Budget Allocation Oyo govt