Ogun Assembly kicks off 2025 Budget defence, prioritises value
By Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta
The Ogun State House of Assembly has begun the 2025 budget defence, with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluation, transparency, and accountability in the allocation and utilisation of public funds.
The Assembly aims to ensure that government resources are used effectively to create value for the people of the state.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, made the announcement during the opening of the budget defence session at the Assembly Complex in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Lamidi emphasised that the focus of the budget defence exercise would not solely be on the financial figures but on how the proposed projects and programmes will impact the lives of Ogun residents. “We are here to ensure that the resources allocated translate into meaningful, measurable, and sustainable benefits for our citizens,” he said.
He urged representatives from various ministries to provide clear and detailed explanations of their proposed budgets, highlight progress made in the previous year, and present plans for the year ahead.
“We are committed to supporting initiatives that align with the collective goal of improving the quality of life for the people of Ogun State,” Lamidi added, assuring that the exercise would be conducted with fairness, professionalism, and a strong commitment to good governance.
The first budget defence session was held with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, a key institution in advancing the welfare and empowerment of vulnerable groups.
Lamidi reiterated the importance of all Commissioners and heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) being present for the budget defence of their respective agencies.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, revealed that the ministry had earmarked N1.050 billion for recurrent expenditure and N468.4 million for capital expenditure.
She added that the total expenditure for the ministry for the next fiscal year stood at N1.5 billion, with a commitment to continuing investments in women, men, young people, and the elderly in a gender-responsive manner for sustainable development.
