Ondo govt raises budget to N769bn, targets 90km roads across 18 LGAs
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The Ondo State Government has raised its 2026 budget from N524.411 billion to N769.384 billion, with the additional N244.973 billion provision targeted at accelerating critical infrastructure projects, including roads, water supply and healthcare across the state.
The development signals a renewed push by the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to deepen infrastructure investment and close funding gaps affecting ongoing projects.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Olaolu Akindolire, disclosed this yesterday after the State Executive Council meeting in Akure, saying the budget review was necessitated by the administration’s intensified infrastructure drive and emerging development needs.
Akindolire said the revised budget followed a mid-year assessment of the 2026 Appropriation Law, which was signed into law on December 29, 2025 and became effective on January 1, 2026.
He explained that the revised appropriation had been forwarded to the Ondo State House of Assembly for ratification.
According to him, the first and second quarter budget implementation appraisal reports revealed varying levels of performance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with some institutions recording increased demands and approaching their approved provisions, while others had slower utilisation due to implementation challenges.
He said the review was therefore designed to realign budgetary provisions, bridge funding gaps and improve implementation during the remaining months of the year.
A major component of the revised budget, he said, was the government’s road construction programme, under which Governor Aiyedatiwa had directed that at least five kilometres of roads be constructed in each of the state’s 18 local government areas before the end of 2026.
This translates to a minimum of 90 kilometres of new or rehabilitated roads across the state.
The commissioner said the projects were expected to improve connectivity, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, strengthen access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities, and stimulate economic activities in both urban and rural communities.
“The revised budget also makes additional funding provision for the Adegbola–St. Mathias flyover along Oba Adesida Road in Alagbaka, Akure,” he said.
He added that water and healthcare sectors had also received additional funding, with anticipated development financing expected to support projects aimed at expanding access to reliable potable water and strengthening healthcare service delivery.
The budget expansion comes as the Aiyedatiwa administration intensifies its infrastructure agenda, with the government seeking to use increased fiscal provisions to sustain ongoing projects while responding to pressing development demands across the state.
Meanwhile, the State Executive Council approved the appointment of Prof. Thompson Akinyele Akinifesi as the pioneer Ekingbade of Bolorunduro in Ondo East Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, said the appointment would usher in a new phase in the development and administration of the community, which serves as the headquarters of Bolorunduro Local Government.
The council also approved the appointment of warrant chiefs to facilitate the processes for the selection of new traditional rulers in Ikun Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area; Ute in Ose Local Government Area; and Ero in Ifedore Local Government Area.
Takuro said the appointments would facilitate the emergence of a new Olokun of Ikun Akoko, Olute of Ute and Ekiri of Ero.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that traditional rulers are installed in communities where the people are ready to commence the selection process, stressing that such processes would be conducted without undue interference.
Also speaking on the council decisions, the Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, said the Aiyedatiwa administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth and improved living conditions for residents.
The revised budget, he said, would provide the financial framework required to translate the administration’s development agenda into tangible projects across the state.
