Aiyedatiwa Presents N492.8bn 2026 Budget to Ondo Assembly
Prioritises infrastructure, trims 2025 estimates over funding gaps

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has presented a budget proposal of N492.795 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, describing it as a “Budget of Economic Consolidation.”

Speaking before lawmakers at the Assembly complex in Akure, Aiyedatiwa said the budget is designed to deepen ongoing reforms and consolidate the gains achieved in 2025.

Major Allocations

The governor highlighted infrastructure as the top priority, receiving N131.991 billion (26.8%) of the total proposal. Other key allocations include:

Public finance: N89.607 billion (18.2%)

Health: N69.641 billion (14.1%)

Education: N63.878 billion (13%)


The budget sets aside N167.523 billion (42.78%) for recurrent expenditure and N281.991 billion (57.22%) for capital projects.

2025 Budget Reviewed Downward

Aiyedatiwa explained that the 2025 “Budget of Recovery” was initially pegged at N698.659 billion but was later reviewed downward to N489.998 billion after gaps were discovered during the mid-year and third-quarter assessments.

He said the revision was necessary to eliminate unrealistic donor expectations, reduce dependence on uncertain revenue inflows, and fairly redistribute available resources.

Economic Challenges

The governor acknowledged that the global economic slowdown remains a potential threat to the state’s revenue, noting that Ondo’s civil service–driven and agrarian economy remains vulnerable to external shocks.

Focus on Long-term Growth

Aiyedatiwa said the 2026 budget reflects a shift from recovery to consolidation, aimed at achieving long-term prosperity and inclusive development.

He added that the government maintained its tradition of participatory budgeting, incorporating input from communities, civil society groups, the private sector, youths, artisans, and farmers.

“Our commitment to an infrastructure revolution is evident,” he said. “Adequate funds have been allocated to ongoing projects, and no project in Ondo State will be abandoned.”

Assembly’s Response

Speaker Olamide Oladiji praised the governor for the progress recorded so far and assured that the budget will undergo thorough scrutiny to ensure it benefits all residents.

He also commended Aiyedatiwa’s intervention during the Assembly’s recent crisis, adding that lawmakers will ensure strict monitoring once the budget is passed.