ONDO STATE BEGINS 2027 BUDGET CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS AS HON. AKINDOLIRE PRESENTS 2026 BUDGET SCORECARD
_Students, youths, women groups, Iyalajes, Iyalojas, vulnerable groups in attendance
The Ondo State Government has commenced consultations with key stakeholders as part of preparations for the 2027 State Budget and the 2027-2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
The consultative engagement, organised by the State Budget Office under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, brought together representatives of student bodies, youth groups, women organisations, Iyalajes, Iyalojas, vulnerable groups and other stakeholders to present their needs and priorities to government.
Speaking at the engagement held on Monday, 5th October, 2026 in Akure, the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Laolu Akindolire, said the exercise was designed to ensure that the 2027 Budget reflects the actual needs and aspirations of the people.
According to him, the forum provides an opportunity for various groups and individuals to tell government what they want, stressing that government exists to serve the people and not itself.
He disclosed that all demands and recommendations presented were recorded and would be properly documented for consideration in the budget preparation process.
Akindolire assured stakeholders that the consultation would not end with the meeting, adding that the Ministry will extend the engagement to the 18 Local Government Areas to interact with traditional rulers and other community leaders and harvest their inputs before the budget is finalised.
*2026 Budget Reviewed to N775.52bn*
The Commissioner disclosed that the 2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation, initially approved at N524.41 billion, has been reviewed upward to N775.52 billion, with the capital component increased from N303.58 billion to N503.76 billion, representing an additional N200.18 billion to fund critical infrastructure.
He explained that the review became necessary as the implementation year progressed and the need for additional funding for infrastructure and other development projects became evident.
He attributed the pace of expenditure to the project implementation cycle, noting that planning, design, procurement and contract awards are typically concluded in the first half of the year, while substantial payments are made as projects progress. Increased delivery is expected in the second half following award of more contracts and activation of project sites.
Sectoral Achievements:
Highlighting achievements across sectors, the Commissioner said the administration had distributed 10,000 digital tablets to 50 secondary schools, paid N633.9 million in WAEC fees for 23,048 students, renovated and constructed 280 classrooms at a cost of N3.709 billion, revived the free school shuttle initiative, committed over N1 billion to the construction of a new Senate Building at the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, and commenced payment of 2026 scholarships and bursaries.
In the health sector, the government organised a free medical outreach across the 18 Local Government Areas, expanded the State Contributory Health Scheme, sustained the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme which has benefited over 40,000 pregnant women and children under five, recruited over 2,000 health professionals, renovated more than 100 health facilities and approved a N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund.
He added that a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, 160-slice CT scanner, 3D digital mammography unit, 4D ultrasound machines and digital X-ray equipment have been provided for the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH).
On infrastructure, the Commissioner listed the ongoing rehabilitation of 90 kilometres of roads across the 18 LGAs, construction of the 10km dualised Oke-Aro–Idanre Road, 6.7km dualised Akungba–Ikare Road and 27.5km dualised Okitipupa–Igbokoda Road as major projects.
He noted that the Onyearugbulem/Shagari/Irese Road Flyover has been completed and commissioned, while work has commenced on the Akure Flyover Bridge along Oyemekun–Oba Adesida Road.
He further disclosed that the State had initiated a N75 billion water project, while the Omi Irorun O’Datiwa Water Scheme at the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching Hospital has been completed and now serves about 6,000 residents daily.
In agriculture, the government secured 26,000 hectares of land, committed over N10 billion to agricultural development, distributed over two million improved cocoa seedlings, profiled 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers under the FAO GEF-7 programme, sustained the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project and trained over 500 young people in modern agricultural practices.
He added that 386.48 kilometres of rural roads have been constructed, rehabilitated, upgraded and maintained under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
On power, the government launched the O’Datiwa Mass Electricity Metering Programme, distributed transformers, installed about 5,000 solar-powered streetlights under the Light-Up Ondo Initiative and Lucky Light Solar Programme, and secured approval for a 350-kilowatt hydropower project and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to power government facilities.
On industrialisation and entrepreneurship, the Commissioner said the State hosted its Entrepreneurship Summit and Investment Summit, while advancing initiatives including the proposed 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery, the 1,471-hectare Free Trade Zone in Ilaje, and a fertiliser, petrochemical and cement project. He added that the State has secured the return of the Dangote Group to Ondo and signed MoUs with investors.
On security, 500 additional operatives were inducted into the Amotekun Corps, while 75 high-grade Hilux vehicles and other operational equipment were procured for security agencies.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the administration cleared about 10 years of outstanding gratuities, ensured workers now receive salaries on or before the 25th of every month, and reduced domestic debt by 82.6 percent within 18 months through fiscal discipline and prudent resource management.
He urged stakeholders to actively participate in the preparation of the 2027 Budget by identifying community and sectoral needs and offering practical suggestions, assuring that the government remains committed to a responsive, inclusive, realistic and transparent budget.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Stephen Aworere, said the consultation was designed to obtain feedback and expectations from various groups to guide the preparation of the 2027 Budget, noting that it reflects government’s commitment to inclusive planning with focus on agriculture, social inclusion, community development and security.
Stakeholders at the event, while commending government for addressing some previously identified areas, expressed concern that some demands presented over three years ago were yet to be implemented and urged government to make extra efforts to address them.
Those who spoke included Prince Fagorola Ayodele, Chairman of Persons with Albinism and Board Member representing albinism in the Agency for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities; Mr. Irinyemi Oluwabori of the Ondo State Youth Parliament; and Alhaja Rafat Momoh of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), among others.
