Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has signed the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, pledging that the budget will be fully implemented to deepen development and improve service delivery across the state.
The signing ceremony took place on Monday at the Government House in Osogbo and was attended by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun; and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Akinleye.
Speaking at the event, Adeleke described the 2026 budget as a critical roadmap for consolidating the achievements of his administration, noting that it aligns with his government’s five-point agenda.
He said the budget represents the final year of his first term and reflects “expanded ambitions” aimed at completing ongoing projects while introducing new initiatives that would benefit the people of Osun State.
The governor recalled that over the past three budget cycles, his administration had laid a solid foundation for sustainable development by completing abandoned projects, initiating new ones, and clearing billions of naira in pension and salary arrears.
According to him, workers’ welfare has remained a priority, with the payment of promotion arrears and several allowances previously neglected by past administrations.
Adeleke highlighted major investments made in sectors that had long been ignored, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He listed key achievements such as agricultural mechanisation programmes, rehabilitation of schools and health facilities, the construction of a new five-star stadium in Osogbo, over 250 kilometres of roads across the state, six road dualisation projects in five major towns, and three major flyover bridges to ease traffic congestion.
He also pointed to innovations in energy, science, and climate change as part of efforts to modernise the state.
The governor said his administration had ensured value for money by moderating project costs and reforming the procurement process in line with global best practices.
“We implemented a strong local content policy to stop capital flight and ensure that Osun money works for Osun people. We also approved nearly N4bn for the cooperative movement to deepen grassroots economic participation and promote inclusive financing,” he said.
Adeleke added that the state’s business environment has improved significantly through tax harmonisation to eliminate multiple taxation and the introduction of a 45-day window for the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
He disclosed that previously dormant free trade zones had been revived, leading to a sharp rise in investment inflows—from almost zero in 2022 to nearly a 40 per cent increase within three years.
“Osun is now attracting business delegations from different parts of the world,” he said.
The governor further noted that the outcomes of the last three budgets had been positive, revealing that Osun ranked first in the South-West in access to primary healthcare for both 2024 and 2025.
He said the state has also received several local and international awards in recognition of its performance, thanking residents for acknowledging the administration’s contributions to development.
On the significance of the 2026 budget, Adeleke described the year as a period of consolidation and renewal, noting that it is both an election year and a time to lay the foundation for a new four-year agenda.
“Governance must not suffer because of elections. We will multi-task and ensure full implementation of the 2026 budget. Ministries and agencies must strictly follow established timelines, as our focus remains the welfare of the people and the completion of all ongoing projects,” he said.
The N723.4bn 2026 budget, tagged “Budget of Economic Transformation,” was approved by the Osun State House of Assembly on December 25 after it was revised upward from N705.7bn.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, the bill was passed after extensive deliberations and legislative scrutiny.
The budget was originally presented to the Assembly by Governor Adeleke on November 12.
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