…Pledges fiscal discipline, vows to complete ongoing projects
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has presented a N415.57 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, pledging continued fiscal discipline and accelerated completion of all ongoing projects across the state.
Tagged “Budget of Impactful Governance,” the proposal comprises N221.87 billion for recurrent expenditure, representing 53 percent, and N193.70 billion for capital expenditure, or 46 percent of the total estimate.
The 2026 proposal marks an 11 percent increase over the N375.79 billion approved for 2025.
Speaking while laying the budget before lawmakers at the Old Assembly Complex, Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said the fiscal plan was designed to consolidate achievements recorded in the past three years, while focusing on agriculture, wealth creation, and human welfare in line with his administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda.
He stated that the budget drew input from extensive town hall meetings across the three senatorial districts, where communities and civil society groups articulated their priorities for inclusion.
According to him, funding for the 2026 budget would come from federal allocation, VAT, internally generated revenue, donor agencies, and other income streams.
“Our administration has demonstrated a high level of fiscal discipline and prudence in the utilisation of our commonwealth. These projects are not only impactful; they will set our state on the path of realizing the Shared Prosperity vision,” Oyebanji said.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and probity, stressing that the fiscal direction for 2026 aligns with the State Development Plan (2021–2050) and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (2026–2028).
The governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Federal Government’s support to Ekiti, saying several interventions had contributed to poverty reduction and infrastructure growth.
Reviewing the 2025 budget performance, Oyebanji noted that his government had recorded significant progress in road rehabilitation, healthcare upgrades, and other key projects, including the renovation of eight general hospitals.
Responding, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, commended the proposal and assured that lawmakers would scrutinize it diligently to ensure that every allocation reflects the aspirations of Ekiti people.
He urged heads of MDAs to prepare for budget defence sessions and pledged that “every naira will be accounted for and channelled to sectors with maximum public impact.”
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Monisade Afuye, the SSG, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, Chief of Staff, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, traditional rulers, and members of the State Executive Council.
