By Miracle Okoro, Abeokuta
Members of the Ogun State House of Assembly have begun a budget retreat in Ibadan to examine the components, structure and fiscal direction of the proposed 2026 Budget of Sustainable Legacy.
The lawmakers interfaced with the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and deepen understanding of the next fiscal year’s projections.
Declaring the retreat open, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, said the exercise was not just a review of figures but an avenue to strengthen institutional capacity, improve collaboration with the Executive arm and reinforce the Assembly’s commitment to a modern and accountable governance system.
He reminded lawmakers that residents expected more from them in oversight, project facilitation and delivery of development outcomes.
The Speaker described the session as a strategic moment to understand the budget’s architecture for more effective law-making.
He urged members to apply experience and knowledge to ensure that the 2026 Budget is inclusive, implementable and capable of stimulating growth across all sectors.
Elemide added that insights from the retreat should guide efforts toward building a responsive Legislature that protects public interest and shapes a stronger legacy for future generations.
Delivering an analytical review of the 2026 budget estimates and the performance of the 2025 fiscal year, the Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Okubadejo, represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olabimtan, said the N1.667 trillion proposal was ambitious and data-driven.
He explained that it aims to accelerate economic expansion, support human capital development and drive sustainable infrastructure across the state.
He noted that with disciplined implementation and continued partnership with the Legislature, the State was positioned to deliver meaningful value to citizens.
According to him, the debt sustainability analysis showed that the government could maintain its spending, tax and policy frameworks in the medium term without risking solvency or defaulting on obligations.
Presenting a further breakdown, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olabimtan, said the expected outcomes cut across economic, social and governance sectors.
He listed economic targets such as improved logistics, support for industrial clusters and growth of small and medium enterprises. Social goals include expanded access to healthcare, improved education and community development. Governance targets focus on fiscal discipline, transparency and strengthened legislative oversight.
He added that the medium-term revenue strategy was based on data-driven planning rather than arbitrary projections and urged all revenue-generating agencies to meet their targets to support successful implementation of the 2026 budget.
The State Accountant-General, Mr. Tunde Aregbesola, represented by Mr. Olalekan Taiwo, presented the state’s financial outlook, covering revenue components, debt profile and inflows for both the 2025 fiscal year and the 2026 proposal.
He highlighted the major revenue sources, including Internally Generated Revenue, allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, grants and other inflows.
In his presentation, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, outlined next year’s planned infrastructural projects, which include road construction across all 20 Local Government Areas and the three senatorial districts.
He added that the state would also construct a new conference centre and hotel among other projects planned for the year.
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