Aiyedatiwa presents N492bn budget as infrastructure, public finance take the lead

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Tuesday presented a N492.8bn budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.

The budget presentation came amid tensions in the Assembly over an alleged plot to impeach Speaker Olamide Oladiji following claims of financial misconduct. Twelve lawmakers had recently passed “a vote of no confidence” on him over alleged diversion of funds.

Oladiji, however, dismissed the move as a “misplaced priority”, insisting the House remained focused on its legislative duties, including work on the reordered 2025 Appropriation Act.

Aiyedatiwa, who tagged the proposal the “Budget of Economic Consolidation”, said it prioritises people-orientated projects across the state.

He announced N281.9bn for capital expenditure and N210.8bn for recurrent spending.

He said infrastructure received the highest allocation at N131.9bn, followed by public finance at N89.6bn, with health getting N69.6bn and education N63.8bn.

According to him, the spending plan marks a shift from “restoration to sustained long-term consolidation”, noting that the capital-to-recurrent ratio reflects the government’s commitment to transforming the state’s socio-economic landscape.

The governor urged lawmakers to give the proposal due consideration, while the speaker praised Aiyedatiwa for presenting the budget on time and assured accelerated passage.