Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has unveiled a N492.8 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year, presenting the proposal to the State House of Assembly on November 17, 2025. The financial plan, tagged the Budget of Economic Consolidation, is designed to build on the administration’s recent reforms, strengthen economic stability, and accelerate development across key sectors.
According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, the 2026 budget prioritizes capital investment, with 57% of the total expenditure dedicated to capital projects. This allocation reflects the state government’s strategic focus on long-term growth by expanding infrastructure, improving social services, and enhancing productivity. Priority areas include education, healthcare, road construction, human capital development, food security, and public infrastructure.
The Governor emphasized that the 2026 fiscal blueprint is anchored on the gains recorded in 2025—a year marked by both economic progress and financial challenges. He noted that the previous budget, initially approved at N698.6 billion, was later revised downward to N490 billion following unrealized donor and partner inflows. Despite these setbacks, the administration delivered significant achievements that form the foundation of the new budget’s direction.
Review of 2025 Performance
Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted a series of accomplishments under the revised 2025 budget. In the education sector, the government recruited 2,100 new teachers to strengthen the state’s basic and secondary education workforce. It also paid N633.9 million in WAEC fees for 23,048 students, fully funded NABTEB examinations, and disbursed over N636 million in scholarships and bursaries to students across tertiary institutions.
Infrastructure development in schools also received attention, with the renovation of 134 primary schools and the upgrade of 60 secondary schools. Technical education advanced through modernisation of technical colleges, while new programmes and capacity improvements were implemented at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH).
The health sector recorded notable progress through expanded enrollment in the Orange Health Insurance scheme. More than 40,000 mothers and children benefited from increased access to healthcare services. Additionally, the World Bank–supported IMPACT project led to the upgrade of 102 primary healthcare centres across the state.
Road construction and rehabilitation remained central to the administration’s agenda. Major projects progressed steadily, including the Oke-Aro–Idanre Road, Akungba–Ikare Road, and the Okitipupa–Igbokoda axis. Flyovers and numerous rural road projects covering 446 kilometres also advanced, improving mobility and economic activities across local communities.
Agriculture and rural development initiatives expanded farming across 26,000 hectares, while cocoa farmers received improved seedlings to boost production. Rural markets were rehabilitated, and livestock farmers gained access to enhanced support services.
Other significant achievements included the revival of the Omotosho power plant, installation of solar mini-grids in 30 rural communities, expanded electricity access, and improved environmental management and sanitation programmes. Under the OD-CARES social protection initiative, over 10,550 households received cash transfers, nearly 20,000 jobs were created, and 1,863 small businesses received grants. The government also paid N3.7 billion in gratuities, restored the School Shuttle Scheme, and strengthened technology and ICT development efforts.
Outlook for 2026
While presenting the 2026 budget, Governor Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that revenue performance may be pressured by the new VAT sharing structure and tax exemptions granted to low-income earners. He assured the Assembly that his administration remains committed to prudent fiscal management, efficient revenue mobilization, and the completion of ongoing priority projects.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, commended the Governor for the early submission of the budget and for his commitment to responsible governance. He noted improvements in legislative welfare through the Consolidated Legislative Salary Scheme Fund and pledged continued collaboration with the executive arm to advance the state’s development.
