Makinde unveils N892 Billion Oyo budget proposal for 2026, prioritizing infrastructure, education

Ibadan, Oyo – In a bid to drive sustainable development and address pressing infrastructural deficits, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday presented a proposed budget of N891.99 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

The proposal, which marks a significant increase from the N684 billion approved for 2025, allocates N389.34 billion to recurrent expenditure and N502.65 billion to capital projects, reflecting a strategic emphasis on growth-oriented investments.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Ibadan, Governor Makinde highlighted the budget's focus on key sectors vital to the state's progress.

“The Infrastructure sector takes the lead with N210.02bn; the Education sector, N155.21bn; the Health sector, N70.81bn; and the Agricultural sector, N19.99bn, while other multisectoral allocations amount to N435.9bn,” Makinde stated, underscoring the administration's commitment to equitable resource distribution.

The infrastructure allocation, the largest at over 23% of the total budget, aims to enhance road networks, urban renewal, and public utilities, addressing long-standing challenges in mobility and service delivery across Oyo's urban and rural divides.

Education receives the second-highest funding, signaling continued efforts to improve access to quality learning amid Nigeria's broader educational crisis. Health and agriculture, though comparatively modest, are positioned to bolster healthcare accessibility and boost food security in the agrarian state.

The event drew dignitaries, including prominent traditional rulers such as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who witnessed the formal submission.

Assembly members received the document amid expectations of rigorous scrutiny before passage.

This proposal arrives against a backdrop of economic pressures in Nigeria, including inflation and fluctuating federal allocations.

Makinde's administration has positioned the budget as a "people-centered" framework, building on previous fiscal years' implementations that saw advancements in digital governance and youth empowerment initiatives.

Lawmakers have yet to indicate timelines for debates, but early reactions suggest optimism over the capital-heavy tilt.

Full details of the budget are expected to be debated in the coming weeks, with potential amendments focusing on revenue generation strategies to ensure feasibility.