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Oyo: Infrastructure, education get lion’s share, as Makinde presents N208bn 2020 budget
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, presented a N208 billion 2020 budget estimates to the State House of Assembly for approval.
Governor Makinde while addressing the Assembly with a 16-page speech noted that his administration plans to be bullish with infrastructure development in the State by embarking 23 percent of the budget for the sector.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa indicated that the 23.93 percent allotted to infrastructure is the highest in the state’s history.
The Statement also indicated that in line with his administration’s belief that education remained the fastest way to take the people out of poverty and its commitment to delivering free and qualitative education in the State, the government has allocated the second highest percentage of the 2020 Budget, 22.37 per cent, to the education sector.
The Governor said: “I am here today to present to you the Oyo State Budget Proposal for the 2020 Fiscal Year. It is a budget that captures the aspirations of the good people of Oyo State. The farmers in Ido, Ilora, Ijaiye, and Akufo who wake up every morning hoping this is the day their relief will come. When the roads that link their farms to markets will be built and they can make more money for their toil.
“The market women and men in Gbagi Titun Market as well as the rural markets in Iresadu and Eruwa, whose hope is that the economy can be buoyant enough so that people can buy from them. The drivers and conductors on Iwo Road, Ogbomoso, Ipapo and Lalupon who do not want to spend all their takings on bus repairs. The civil servants at Agodi Secretariat who put in an honest day’s work and just want to get their salaries paid on time so they can care for their families.
“The students in public primary, secondary and tertiary institutions who want quality education so they can compete favourably with their counterparts worldwide. The old, the sick and infirm who want to go to a government hospital and get quality service without paying out of pocket. The small and medium scale business owners who want an enabling environment for their business to thrive.
“The big corporations who set up industries in Oyo State believing that government will play their role in providing a conducive environment for sustainable growth. It is a budget that every woman, man, and child in Oyo state can relate to and be proud of. A budget in keeping with our Roadmap for Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023.
“Mr Speaker Sir, Honourable Members, this is the first time I will be coming before you to present and defend a budget that is wholly this administration’s. Please permit me to share with you some of the key areas of the 2020 Oyo State Budget Proposal highlighting our revenue and expenditure plans and how this will contribute to the accelerated development of the economy of Oyo State.
“Let me start by saying that we are aiming for at least 70 per cent budget implementation. We believe we can even exceed this because we are not building castles in the air. Our proposed budget income matches our proposed expenditure.”
According to Governor Makinde, the capital expenditure of the State for the 2020 Budget was increased by 20 per cent compared to the 2019 Budget, with the capital expenditure estimate in the 2020 Budget proposal standing at N100,142,690,046 billion, representing 47.9 per cent of the budget.
The Governor added: “You will also note that our capital expenditure increased by about 20 per cent compared to the 2019 budget. Total capital expenditure of N100,142,690,046 billion is 47.9 per cent of the total budget estimate.
“The importance of this increase should not be lost on us. Increased allocation to capital projects directly contributes to a more buoyant economy and sustainable development. As stated earlier, we will not only be starting new projects, but also completing all ongoing viable projects from the previous administration.
“In all, Mr Speaker Sir, Honourable Members, I am happy to report that we have kept our promise to the people of Oyo State. When we set out to prepare the budget, our aim was to keep the budget realistic. To prepare a budget where projected revenue matches projected cost, unlike what has been the practice in the past.
“In 2019 for instance, the last administration projected N25.55Billion as revenue from MDAs and N91.59Billion from Statutory Allocations. These projections were higher than could be achieved. We have had to mark these down by 4.79 per cent for MDAs and 6.08 per cent from Statutory Allocations. However, we have reviewed Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) upwards based on various strategies we have put in place. We are expecting monthly revenue of at least Three Billion Naira starting from January 2020. You will be happy to hear that in the month of October, we were able to increase the state IGR by Four Hundred Million Naira, such that we had an IGR of Two Billion, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira recorded for that month.
“The last two sources of revenue are Capital Receipts which are down by about 10 per cent to N33.50Billion compared to the 2019 budget, and Loans for Capital Projects at N28.99Billion.
“It is, therefore, with a deep sense of responsibility that I present to you the Oyo State Budget Proposal for the 2020 Fiscal Year. I can assure that every kobo of the Two Hundred and Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Two Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira Zero Kobo is accounted for. Every single expenditure is geared towards facilitating the accelerated development of our beloved Oyo State.
“Mr Speaker Sir, Honourable Members of the House, I said at the outset that this budget is of the people and for the people. I stand by my word. With this budget, every citizen of Oyo State has a workable plan that they can identify with. It has been my honour to present it to you and my prayer is that you give it due consideration in a timely manner so that implementation may commence and Oyo State will indeed get on the path to accelerated development,” the Governor said.
He stated that the sum of N35.4 billion has been provided in the 2020 budget towards the completion of ongoing and proposed road projects in the three senatorial zones of the State.
The Governor maintained that the administration will see to the completion of the recently awarded Moniya-Ijaye-Iseyin road, which the contractor has agreed to complete in 12 months and other ongoing viable road projects in the State, adding that the government has concluded plans to collaborate with the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Oyo-Iseyin road.
He also announced the restructuring of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) and the directive to establish zonal offices in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki and Ibarapa to achieve an effective spread of its activities, adding that the ongoing Light Up Oyo State project through which Smart LED Street Lights were installed in Ibadan and solar lights in Oyo and Ogbomoso would be replicated across the major towns and cities in the State.
Governor Makinde further revealed that the 2020 Budget contained provisions for the procurement of new fire fighting vehicles, ambulances, water tankers and communication equipment for the security system.
Governor Makinde further said that in line with his Government’s four service point agenda, it has allocated 5.18 per cent and 4.43 per cent respectively to the Health and Agriculture sectors in the 2020 Budget proposal, noting that the Government remained committed to its determination to use agriculture to drive the State’s economy.
In the health sector, Governor Makinde stated that the major facelift and equipment provided to the Adeoyo State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, to ensure quality healthcare delivery to the citizenry will be extended beyond the state capital, noting that General Hospitals in Eruwa, Tede and Iseyin would be renovated in the 2020 fiscal year.
He maintained that having noticed the lacuna in the area of personnel for the health sector, his Government has given approval for the recruitment of 500 medical and health workers for the State’s hospitals, College of Nursing and Midwifery as well as the College of Health Science and Technology.
The Governor noted that the administration has begun the implementation of policies that would transform farming activities, increase production and improve the quality of food crops, livestock export and industrial crops through the application of modern technology, noting that the ongoing effort to upgrade two of the nine Farm Settlements in Eruwa and Akufo into Farm Estates remained on track.
Governor Makinde announced the return of the Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) headquarters to Saki, promising that the administration will restructure the system and fully strengthen it for efficient and effective performance of its responsibilities.
He also informed the gathering that the legal controversy over the 10,000 metric tons capacity silo at Aawe had been settled out of court, with the contractor already back to site with an agreement to deliver the project in 10 months.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has mourned the death of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo, popularly known as Able, describing his demise as a painful loss to the progressive family.
Oladipupo, who represented Ibadan North-West Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, was widely regarded as a grassroots politician and committed party loyalist until his passing.
Oseni, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the APC candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, said the late politician’s death had created a vacuum within the party and among those who benefitted from his unwavering commitment to public service.
In a condolence statement issued on Monday by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the federal lawmaker described the late Oladipupo as a dependable progressive, humble political actor and loyal party stalwart whose impact would remain indelible.
He said the deceased dedicated his life to serving humanity, strengthening the progressive movement and supporting the aspirations of many at the grassroots.
Oseni said, “The death of Hon. Akeem Abimbola Oladipupo (Able) came to me as a rude shock. Oyo State and the progressive family have indeed lost a committed, loyal and selfless leader whose passion for service, humility and dedication to the people stood him out.
“He was not just a politician but a bridge-builder, a dependable ally and a grassroots mobiliser who believed strongly in the ideals of our great party. His contributions to the growth of the APC in Oyo State and his service to humanity will remain unforgettable.”
The APC senatorial candidate noted that the late former lawmaker remained steadfast in promoting peace, unity and political development, adding that his simplicity and accessibility endeared him to many across political divides.
According to Oseni, the late politician’s legacy of service and sacrifice would continue to inspire younger politicians and party faithful.
He, however, urged members of the APC, associates and family members of the deceased to take solace in the remarkable life he lived and the positive impact he made during his lifetime.
Oseni also prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the painful loss.
State governors have proposed a new national minimum wage of N100,000 for Nigerian workers as part of efforts to cushion them from the biting effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), disclosed the proposal on Saturday in a post by the state government’s official Facebook page. He said the move aims to improve workers’ welfare while ensuring that government finances remain sustainable.
“State governments recognise the urgent need to improve workers’ welfare in response to the current economic realities facing Nigerians,” AbdulRazaq said.
“We are actively engaging with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers and sustainable for government finances.”
The NGF chairman explained that ongoing discussions are focused on balancing the need to boost workers’ purchasing power with the capacity of governments to deliver essential public services and development projects.
“The goal is to improve the living conditions of workers while ensuring that states can continue to meet their obligations and sustain projects that directly impact citizens,” he added.
The proposed N100,000 minimum wage is expected to intensify national debates on salaries, inflation, and broader economic reforms as Nigerians continue to contend with rising food prices, transportation costs, and other living expenses.
Currently, Nigeria’s statutory minimum wage stands at N70,000 per month. Some states, including Lagos, Rivers, and Imo, are already paying above the national benchmark to support workers amid the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has continued to call for a comprehensive review of salaries, insisting that workers deserve a living wage that reflects present-day economic realities rather than merely guaranteeing survival.
The average retail price paid by consumers for Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, rose to N1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase compared to the N1,239.33 recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, findings by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have shown.
The sharp rise in petrol prices came amid mounting inflationary pressure and worsening living costs, with Nigerians grappling with soaring transportation and food expenses that have continued to shrink household purchasing power.
The NBS disclosed this in its Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch for April 2026, released on Friday.
The report further showed that on a month-on-month basis, petrol prices rose by 18.97 per cent from N1,288.54 recorded in March 2026, underscoring persistent volatility in the downstream petroleum market.
A breakdown of prices across states revealed that Yobe recorded the highest average retail price for petrol at N1,599.05 per litre during the review period.
Edo and Bauchi followed closely with average prices of N1,595.74 and N1,589.07, respectively.
However, Niger residents paid the least for petrol at an average of N1,403.89 per litre, while Sokoto and Katsina recorded N1,404.16 and N1,406.28 respectively.
At the zonal level, the South-South recorded the highest average retail price at N1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West posted the lowest at N1,508.81.
The latest petrol price increase comes as millions of Nigerians continue to battle the ripple effects of rising inflation, with higher energy costs worsening transportation fares and the prices of essential commodities.
Similarly, the NBS said the average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, also known as cooking gas, rose by 13.73 per cent month-on-month to N8,706.93 in April 2026 from N7,655.73 recorded in March.
On a year-on-year basis, the price increased by 10.42 per cent from N7,885.60 recorded in April 2025.
Lagos recorded the highest average price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,745.10, followed by Nasarawa at N9,451.70 and Bayelsa at N9,422.74.
In contrast, Anambra recorded the lowest average price at N7,204.76, while Ondo and Ogun followed with N7,239.49 and N7,825.75, respectively.
At the regional level, the North-West recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 5kg cylinder at N9,025.07, followed by the North-East at N8,847.16, while the South-East posted the lowest average price at N8,224.37.
Also, the average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas increased by 13.89 per cent month-on-month to N22,382.20 in April 2026 from N19,652.83 in March.
Compared to April 2025, the price rose by 10.43 per cent from N20,268.06.
According to the NBS LPG Price Watch for April, Katsina recorded the highest average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N25,596.71, followed by Kogi at N24,558.25 and Gombe at N24,438.97.
Ogun recorded the lowest average price at N19,564.36, while Bauchi and Anambra followed at N20,178.87 and N20,511.90 respectively.
The North-West recorded the highest zonal average retail price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder at N23,276.95, followed by the North-Central at N22,865.29, while the South-East posted the lowest average at N21,060.92.
The latest figures signal growing pressure on household energy costs, raising concerns over the implications for inflation and the cost of living in the coming months.
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