By Joy Joseph
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has disclosed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from N26.95 billion in 2019 to N103.25 billion in 2026, representing a significant increase in the state’s revenue base.
Makinde made the disclosure on Tuesday while presenting the proposed N1.12 trillion 2027 Appropriation Bill, christened Budget of Sustained Progress, to the Oyo State House of Assembly in Ibadan.
The proposed budget, which is the final annual appropriation bill of his administration, is designed to consolidate ongoing projects and sustain the development programmes of the government before the expiration of his second term in 2027.
The governor attributed the growth in the state’s IGR to efforts by his administration to strengthen revenue generation and improve its capacity to finance development initiatives.
According to him, the state’s IGR stood at N26.95 billion when his administration assumed office in 2019 but had increased to N103.25 billion in 2026.
Giving a breakdown of the proposed expenditure, Makinde said N670 billion, representing about 60 per cent of the total budget, was earmarked for capital expenditure, while N444 billion was allocated to recurrent expenditure.
The infrastructure sector received the largest allocation of N236.15 billion, followed by education with N190.6 billion and health with N93.01 billion.
The governor explained that the substantial allocation to infrastructure was aimed at consolidating ongoing projects and strengthening development across the state.
He also disclosed that his administration had returned more than 65,000 out-of-school children to classrooms as part of efforts to improve access to education.
Makinde called for prudent financial management to ensure effective implementation of the budget and sustain the reforms and infrastructure established by his administration.
He also defended his administration’s tractorisation policy, including the decision to privatise tractor services, describing it as part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity.
On the recent wave of resignations involving political appointees and other officials in his administration, the governor said their departures had no significance for his government.
He acknowledged that some officials had resigned but maintained that their decisions would not affect the administration.
Makinde also disclosed that a female official among those who resigned had approached him with what he described as an impossible request, adding that she tendered her resignation after he rejected it.
The development marks the first time the governor has publicly commented on the series of resignations that have generated political discussions in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, said the governor’s presence at the budget presentation demonstrated his administration’s respect for constitutional democracy and the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
Ogundoyin described the proposed appropriation bill as an opportunity to consolidate the achievements of the administration over the last seven and a half years, sustain ongoing development programmes and strengthen the foundation for sustainable growth.
He disclosed that the 10th Assembly, since its inauguration in June 2023, had passed 41 bills into law, processed 146 committee reports and 184 motions, and adopted more than 1,500 resolutions.
The Speaker also highlighted the establishment of the Post-Legislative Scrutiny Unit in January 2025, noting that Oyo State became the first state in Nigeria to establish a dedicated unit for that purpose.
He assured the governor that the Assembly would give the proposed budget the necessary legislative attention and scrutiny, guided by the interests of the people of the state.
Ogundoyin also appealed for improved welfare for legislative workers, citing requests by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria for an upward review of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure to 100 per cent, regularisation of ad hoc staff appointments and the release of a bus earlier approved for the association.
