Oyo approves N4.27bn for December 29 council elections

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government has approved ₦4.278 billion to fund the local government elections scheduled for December 29, 2026, across the state’s 33 local government areas.

The State Executive Council approved ₦1.711 billion as the state government’s counterpart contribution, while the 33 local government councils are expected to contribute ₦2.566 billion, representing the remaining 60 per cent of the projected cost.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement after the council’s meeting, noting that the funding would enable the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission to commence preparations for the chairmanship and councillorship elections.

The December 29 poll is expected to determine the next set of elected officials at the grassroots level, with residents voting for chairmen and councillors across the state’s 33 local government areas.

In a separate decision, the council approved ₦437.4 million for accreditation requirements for the Nursing Programme at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University. Oyelade said the institution was at the final stage of the accreditation process, warning that failure to meet the deadline could jeopardise the investment in the programme.

He added that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration had spent more than ₦3 billion on equipment for the programme’s take-off, explaining that the additional funding would support the university’s academic diversification and drive towards financial sustainability.

The council also approved ₦6.744 billion as the state government’s 50 per cent counterpart contribution to the construction, renovation and equipping of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Oyo Annex. Oyo East Local Government Area is expected to provide the remaining 50 per cent, bringing the total project funding to ₦13.489 billion.

According to Oyelade, the project is expected to improve healthcare access in Oyo and neighbouring communities, as about 70 per cent of patients receiving treatment at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso reportedly come from Oyo and its environs. The council also commended Makinde for his cooperation with the 33 local government councils as his administration approaches the end of its tenure in May 2027.