Oyo Govt Partners EU, UNICEF, ILO to Finalise Social Protection Bill

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the European Union (EU), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to review and finalise the state’s Social Protection Bill under the Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) Project.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Oluwaseun Ojo, stated this while delivering the keynote address at a two-day workshop on the proposed legislation, held at Plaza De Haruna Hotel, Oyo.

The Commissioner said the partnership would provide the technical expertise, institutional support, and stakeholder engagement required to strengthen social protection in the state.

He noted that the initiative was designed to address the vulnerabilities faced by children, women, persons with disabilities, farmers, informal-sector workers, and the unemployed.

According to him, the proposed bill seeks to replace fragmented interventions with a coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable social protection system.

He explained that, when passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, the bill would provide a legal framework for the coordination, implementation, financing, monitoring, and evaluation of social protection programmes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as relevant non-state actors.

In his goodwill message, the UNICEF Lagos Office representative, Mr. Mohammed Okorie, described Oyo State as a pace-setter, stressing that social protection was vital to addressing poverty and building resilience.

Okorie said stakeholders were working to institutionalise the social protection framework to ensure that the life-changing programmes outlive the current administration.

The Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, pledged the legislature’s support for the bill, assuring stakeholders that, once it had scaled the necessary executive processes, the House would give it expedited attention and work towards its speedy passage into law.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Julius Ayanleke, appreciated the EU, UNICEF, and ILO for their continued partnership, technical support, and commitment to the welfare and development of the people of Oyo State.

E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Hon.Commissioner for Information,
Oyo State

The Oyo State Government has commenced stakeholders’ engagement and consultative meetings across the seven geographical zones of the State as part of efforts to obtain citizens’ inputs into the preparation of the 2027 Budget.

The exercise, being organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is aimed at providing an avenue for residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, organised groups and other stakeholders to present their priority needs and development concerns for consideration in the 2027 Budget.

The consultative meetings are being held across the seven geographical zones of the State, namely Oke-Ogun Zone I, Oke-Ogun Zone II, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ibadan Main City and Ibadan Greater City.

Speaking at the engagement in Aago-Are, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Adebayo Lawal, said the exercise was part of the administration’s commitment to listening directly to the people and ensuring that their needs and priorities form part of the State’s budget planning process.

He explained that the Government was particularly interested in receiving the views of residents on critical areas of development, including road infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and other sectors that directly affect the wellbeing and economic activities of the people.

On road infrastructure, the Deputy Governor assured residents that the government would continue to give attention to roads linking rural communities with urban centres, noting that improved road networks would facilitate the movement of people and farm produce.

He said the administration recognised the importance of connecting rural communities to major towns, stressing that good roads would help ensure that agricultural produce from rural areas could move easily to urban markets.

Lawal disclosed that the Nigerian Army had approved the establishment of an Army Battalion in Kishi, assuring that the State Government would provide the necessary support to strengthen security in the area.

The Deputy Governor noted that Oke-Ogun had abundant solid mineral resources and urged traditional rulers to ensure their responsible exploitation in line with Government regulations.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, said the importance of the engagement was to provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the preparation of the 2027 Budget. He assured the stakeholders that their submissions would be considered and reflected in the budget where appropriate.

Also speaking at the Iseyin Local Government Secretariat, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. (Alhaja) Faosat Joke Sanni, appreciated the people of Oke-Ogun Zone I for their cooperation and support for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, urging them to sustain the support.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Julius Ayanleke, said the programme was the eighth edition of the stakeholders’ engagement meeting, adding that the exercise was approved by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to enable the Government visit all the zones and receive inputs from the people for consideration in the 2027 Budget.

The event was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, Government officials, supervisory councillors, special advisers, community leaders, among others.

E-Signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade

Hon. Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has trained 250 budget officers drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the State on the use and application of the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA) template for budget preparation and implementation.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, said a credible budget was essential to the effective implementation of Government policies, programmes and projects.

He stated this during a three-day sensitisation workshop on the use and application of the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA), held at the Ibadan Business School, Bodija, Ibadan.

Ojo said the training was necessary to address identified gaps in budget preparation and strengthen the technical capacity of budget officers.

He added that effective application of the NCoA would promote uniformity in budget preparation, improve budget monitoring and enhance accountability in the management of public resources.

The Commissioner stressed that the 2027 budget estimates must align with the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2027–2029, as well as the State’s “Omituntun 2.0” roadmap and Agenda 2040.

He said the alignment would help ensure that public resources were directed towards sustainable development and improved welfare of the people.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Ghafar Bello, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his support for the Ministry, noting that the collaboration between project execution and economic planning had contributed to improved coordination in the State’s planning and budgeting processes.

Speaking on the importance of the training, the Social Policy Manager, UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Mr. Mohammed Okorie, said UNICEF was supporting Oyo State, through the EU-UNICEF project, to strengthen budgeting practices and ensure that child-focused interventions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were adequately captured in the State’s budget.

Okorie urged all MDAs to mainstream child-focused issues into their plans and programmes, irrespective of their sectors, with particular attention to the needs of adolescents, especially adolescent girls, and children with disabilities.

He noted that Government expenditure remained a sustainable source of financing programmes targeted at improving the welfare of children and families.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Julius Ayanleke, appreciated UNICEF for its collaboration and support, while urging the participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve budget preparation and implementation across their respective MDAs.

E-Signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade

Hon. Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has adopted a holistic approach to development, integrating projects across key sectors to achieve sustainable growth.

The Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Prof. Musibau Babatunde, stated this during a courtesy visit by the National Economic Council (NEC) inspection team to his office at the Secretariat, Ibadan, following the team’s assessment of selected projects across the State.

Prof. Babatunde said the approach was guided by the State’s 2023–2027 sustainable development roadmap. He noted that education and healthcare programmes were being implemented as interconnected sectors to ensure comprehensive development.

The SSG also highlighted the importance of strategic road projects, including the Iwo Road Interchange. He said improved road networks linking the rail and dry ports would ease movement, support businesses and prevent future congestion.

On agriculture, Prof. Babatunde said Oyo was repositioning the sector as a business through tractorisation, farm inputs and support for livestock and fish farmers. He described the State as a major food basket of the South-West, supplying agricultural produce to several States.

He added that the Government was strengthening institutions, security and rural infrastructure to sustain development. According to him, the strategy is to identify challenges, create opportunities around them and ensure continuity in the state’s development efforts.

Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, said the NEC assessment provided an opportunity for the State to showcase projects that are directly aligned with its development priorities. He noted that the projects were selected to deliver tangible benefits to residents and contribute to the State’s broader development objectives.

Barr. Ojo added that the state would continue to strengthen its planning and budgeting processes to ensure that government resources are directed towards projects with lasting impact.

He appreciated the NEC team for the assessment, describing it as valuable to the State’s efforts to promote accountability, effective planning and sustainable development.

Also Speaking, the NEC Team Leader, Assistant Chief Planning Officer, NEC Secretariat, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Abuja, Mr. Olayiwola Yusuf commended the Oyo State Government for the progress recorded on the projects inspected, describing the State’s efforts as commendable.

He expressed optimism that the projects would be sustained and continue to deliver the desired benefits to the people of Oyo State.

The NEC team inspected several projects across the State, including the Ijaye Asphalt Plant, Fashola Farm Estate, Ibadan Airport ,Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited in Iseyin, Ibadan 12-Megawatt Independent Power Project Secretariat, Olunloyo Park, Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road, Akuro Primary Health Care Centre, Ibadan Central Bus Terminal at Iwo Road, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Iseyin Campus and the 76.6-kilometre Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Psaltry Foods, Eleyele Waterfront among others.

The inspection team was accompanied by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Planning, Alhaji Ghafar Bello; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Economic Planning, Hon. Kolawole Akanmu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Julius Ayanleke; Principal Planning Officer NEC, Mr. Ibrahim Husseini, Senior Planning Officer NEC, Mrs. Alozie Victory Onyekachi, as well as other Government officials.

…Builds Leadership Capacity for Sustainable Development

The Oyo State Government has intensified efforts to strengthen governance, fiscal planning and institutional capacity with the commencement of the preparation of the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the training of top civil service leadership cadres on talent management and mentoring.

As part of the initiatives, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning commenced a five-day walk-through session on the preparation of the 2027–2029 MTEF at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre, bringing together 60 participants from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for planning, budgeting and finance.

The workshop is designed to build a common understanding of the MTEF process and equip participants with the technical knowledge required to prepare a realistic, credible and implementable medium-term budget framework.

Representing the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Ghafar Bello, described the exercise as another milestone in institutionalising transparent, prudent and results-oriented budgeting in Oyo State.

Barr. Ojo stated that the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework remains a critical instrument for aligning government spending with policy priorities, available resources and the State Development Plan, noting that a credible MTEF provides the foundation for realistic annual budgets capable of delivering measurable development outcomes.

He explained that the workshop would deepen participants’ knowledge of revenue forecasting, expenditure planning, programme-based budgeting and fiscal sustainability, while ensuring that MDAs align their plans with the Roadmap for Sustainable Development (Omituntun 2.0) and Agenda 2040.

The Commissioner urged participants to embrace transparency, accountability and realistic costing throughout the budget preparation process, adding that the technical session would produce realistic revenue projections, programme-based budgets, strengthened monitoring frameworks and draft expenditure ceilings for the 2027 budget.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Tunde Ayanleke, appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the workshop and releasing the necessary funds, while the Lead Consultant, Dr. Ayuba Onifade, urged participants to provide accurate and reliable data, stressing that the quality of the MTEF would depend on the credibility of information supplied.

… reiterate commitment to business friendly reform

The Oyo State government and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) have reiterated their commitment to fostering a more robust investor friendly in the State and Nigeria at large.

This was revealed on Saturday at the State Action on Business-enabling Reforms (SABER) Technical Session and Statewide Town Hall Meeting held at Western Hall, Parliament Building, as part of PEBEC  nationwide tour to strengthen subnational business reforms.

Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Commissioner for Budget and Economic  Planning and State SABER Chairman Prof. Musibau Babatunde  harped on the importance of creating an enabling  environment for business to thrive, adding that there is a need to consistently reform the business environment to attract investors.

He stressed further that failure to engage the business investors could render the state uncompetitive, discouraging business growth and hindering economic progress.

He hinted that the strong commitment to nurturing small and medium-scale enterprises will generate innovative ideas, and boost operational efficiency.

He noted that today’s event will avail the state to evaluate what they have done, what they are doing currently and the future’s plans to ease doing business in the state.

He appreciated the PEBEC team for their resilience and adaptability in navigating critical moments to ensure sustained progress.

Babatunde affirmed that Oyo State has embraced the SABER framework as a transformative vehicle for governance reform, private sector engagement, and economic inclusion.

Speaking virtually, the Director-General, PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, said the partnership between the agency and Oyo State would enable the government and stakeholders to adapt, enhance and strengthen the regulatory environment, particularly through the SABER programme.

She said, “The goal of PEBEC is to work with the States and ensure all hands are on deck to support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to foster a conducive business environment that drives more innovation and growth.

In her remarks, the Senior Reform Leader, PEBEC,Hussaina Abdulkadri, said the  Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has intensified efforts to replicate ease of doing business reforms at the sub-national level through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.

She explained that the event marked the beginning of a series of engagements aimed at ensuring that reforms implemented at the federal level are cascaded down to the states, where most investors operate.

She noted that PEBEC recognizes the critical role sub-national governments play in Nigeria’s investment landscape.

According to Abdulkadri, the SABER program is a $750 million performance-for-results initiative co-designed by the PEBEC Secretariat and currently being implemented in partnership with the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

She also said, PEBEC is collaborating with the Oyo State Investment Promotion Agency (OYSIPA) to document and publicize business incentives, enabling investors to clearly understand what benefits are available to them.

She further disclosed that PEBEC is also supporting the state in enhancing access to justice, particularly for small businesses. This has led to the establishment of seven Small Claims Courts in Oyo State. These courts provide a simplified legal process for resolving monetary disputes involving amounts of ₦5 million or less, and up to ₦10 million for counterclaims. She said the initiative, is part of broader efforts to create a more attractive and investor-friendly environment across Nigeria’s states.

Oyo State Government would soon commission an 11 megawatts independent hybrid power project believed to enhance socio-economic development and security of the State.

Oyo State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, gave the hint during the 2025 Budget Breakdown Session held at the Conference Room, Ministry of Finance, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The Commissioner while briefing the newsmen on Tuesday and other relevant stakeholders, explained that the main objective of the briefing was to give the breakdown analysis on how the 2025 proposed budget would be executed.

Prof. Babatunde, hinted  that the State hybrid power plant would provide power to some Government facilities within Ibadan, the State capital.

While presenting the review of the 2024 Budget and Breakdown of the 2025 budget estimates,  Prof. Babatunde  explained that the budget’s impact would be felt by the people of Oyo State, adding that the 2025 budget estimates were prepared taking due cognizance of the Agenda 2040, road map for sustainable development 2023-2027.

Professor Babatunde, therefore called  for the co-operation of every stakeholder, emphasizing  that the State Government would only target tax evaders, and interstate trucks to further improve its  internally generated revenue, IGR.

According to him, out of the proposed 2025 budget that capital expenditure would get a total of 343 billion naira at 50.59″% while recurrent expenditure would gulp 335 billion naira at 49.41% of the total budget.

The briefing had in attendance, the State commissioner for Information and Orientation Prince Dotun Oyelade; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr. Segun Olayiwola and host of others

The Oyo State Government has successfully concluded its 2025 Budget Planning Consultative Meetings, which were held across the six geo-political zones of the State.

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde assured stakeholders that their submissions during the meetings will be reflected in the 2025 budget.

At the closing ceremony of the sixth zonal stakeholders’ consultative engagement in Ibarapa zone, Governor Makinde, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, emphasized the Government’s commitment to supporting farmers.

“The Government is not relenting in its efforts to make farming more profitable for farmers in the State,” he said.

The administration has already provided support to farmers across the 33 local government areas, including farm inputs and fertilizer for improved yields during the planting season.

Governor Makinde encouraged farmers to join recognized farmers’ associations, promising additional benefits and support.

In the education sector, the Governor stressed the importance of avoiding politics to ensure the sector’s development.

He assured successful applicants in the ongoing teachers’ recruitment that they would be employed soon, maintaining that standards would not be compromised.

Governor Makinde also reiterated his administration’s commitment to security, urging residents to provide useful information to assist security agencies.

Oyo State Government has concluded the year 2025 Budget Planning Consultative Meetings held across the six geo-political zones of the State.

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the sixth zonal stakeholders’ consultative engagement in Ibarapa zone, assured that the submissions of stakeholders at the meetings would reflect in the 2025 budget.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, said that the Government is not relenting in its efforts to make farming more profitable for farmers in the State.

Governor Makinde noted that his administration had supported farmers across the 33 local government areas of the State with farm inputs and fertilizer for improved farm yields during the planting season.

He called on farmers who are yet to identify with a recognized farmers’ association to do so, promising that more benefits and support await them.

On education, the Governor emphasized the need for anyone not to play politics of any form with education for the development of the sector.

He assured the people of the zone that successful applicants in the ongoing teachers recruitment would be employed in due course, adding that his administration will not compromise standards in the recruitment process.

Governor Makinde reiterated the commitment of his administration to security of lives and property, while admonishing the residents of the State to assist the Government and security agencies with useful information in relation to security challenges in their localities for security personnel to act accordingly.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musibau Babatunde appreciated the people of the zone for their cooperation and understanding.

He admonished them to contribute more to the development of their zone particularly the education and agricultural sectors.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Commissioner for Information and Orientation,
Oyo State.

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State Government, Barr. Adebayo Lawal has urged the people of Oke Ogun to cooperate with the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration towards finding a lasting solution to the security challenges in the zone.

The Deputy Governor made the call at the Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting on the Year 2025 Budget preparation held at the Igbeti township hall, Olorunsogo Local Government, lgbeti, Venue of the meeting for the people of Oke-Ogun, Zone 2.

He explained that the present administration in the State has been magnanimous in developing the Oke-Ogun geo-political zone, saying that the Government will continue to give equal treatment to all zones in the State.

In his goodwill message, Onigbeti of Igbeti, Oba Bashiru Olalekan Abioye, commended the Governor for the prompt measure taken recently to tame the security threats ravaging in their community.

He equally thanked Governor Makinde for deeming it fit to approve two new secondary schools for Igbeti.

The monarch appealed to the Government to consider the repair of the access road from Igbeti to Iseyin and other similar roads in oke ogun, while revealing that the roads connect several villages that produce the bulk of food consumed by residents of the State.

He explained that the majority of oke Ogun people are farmers, therefore agricultural extension agents equipped with modern agricultural practices, innovation, new breed, improved variety of crops and access to agricultural implements are significant to improving outputs of farmers and consequently improving their standards of living.

In the same vein,the Commissioner for Agric and Rural Development, Barr Olaleye Olasunkanmi represented Governor Seyi Makinde said that Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting, that stated since the first year of Governor Seyi Makinde’s regime is meant to avoid misplacement of priorities of the people in State.

Barr Olasunkanmi stated this at Iresa-Adu Town Hall, Surulere local government, Ogbomoso.

He added that the Oyo State Government will soon distribute appointment letters to 7000 Primary School Teachers, 7000 Secondary School Teachers and 5000 medical personnel across all zones.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Musibau Babatunde, lauded participants for their contributions.

He noted that the Government will continue to engage residents, while assuring that their submissions would reflect in the Year 2025 budget…