Ondo State Government has increased its 2026 budget by N244.973 billion after a mid-year review found that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies were nearing their approved spending provisions, prompting a fresh allocation of funds for the remaining months of the year.
The revised budget rises from N524.411 billion to N769.384 billion and has been submitted to the Ondo State House of Assembly for ratification. The review covers spending under the budget that took effect on 1 January, 2026, after Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa assented to it on 29 December, 2025.
A statement by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State on 8 September revealed that the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Olaolu Akindolire, disclosed the figures after a State Executive Council meeting, according to a statement by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan.
The change gives the government additional funds to cover gaps identified during its assessment of first and second quarter budget implementation.
Some agencies face higher funding needs
The review found that budget performance was not the same across the state’s MDAs.
Some recorded higher demands and were nearing the amounts originally approved for them. Others used their allocations more slowly because of implementation challenges.
Akindolire said the review was intended to realign provisions, address funding gaps and improve implementation during the remaining part of 2026.
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He said the revised budget would provide money needed to sustain ongoing projects and respond to emerging development needs.
The N244.973 billion increase goes beyond a simple change in the total spending figure. It also gives the government room to adjust allocations after seeing how the first half of the year had affected different parts of the administration.
The revised plan now awaits legislative ratification before the new provisions can take effect.
The government has also identified specific areas that will receive additional funds under the new budget, including roads, water and healthcare.
One of the largest stated commitments is a minimum of five kilometres of road construction in each of the state’s 18 local government areas before the end of 2026.
That would produce at least 90 kilometres of new roads across Ondo State.
Roads, flyover, water and health get more funds
Governor Aiyedatiwa directed the road programme, with the government saying the projects would improve connections between communities, markets, schools and healthcare facilities.
The road work is also intended to make the transport of agricultural produce easier and support economic activity in both urban and rural areas.
The revised budget provides additional funding for the Adegbola–St. Mathias flyover along Oba Adesida Road in Alagbaka, Akure.
Water services will also receive more money. The government said anticipated development financing would support projects intended to improve access to reliable potable water.
Healthcare funding has also been increased, with the allocation intended to strengthen service delivery and respond to emerging needs.
The budget revision comes after the government had already begun implementing the spending plan approved late last year. Its first two quarterly assessments provided the basis for changing provisions before the end of the financial year.
The council’s decisions also covered traditional leadership in three local government areas.
Prof Thompson Akinyele Akinifesi was approved as the pioneer Ekingbade of Bolorunduro in Ondo East Local Government Area. Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner Amidu Takuro said the appointment would usher in a new era in the community, which serves as the headquarters of Bolorunduro Local Government.
The council also approved warrant chiefs for Ikun Akoko in Akoko South-West, Ute in Ose and Ero in Ifedore.
Their appointments will facilitate the selection of a new Olokun of Ikun Akoko, Olute of Ute and Ekiri of Ero.
Takuro said the government was committed to smooth installation of traditional rulers in communities ready to select new obas without undue interference.
The next thing for the budget is legislative approval. So, until the House of Assembly ratifies the revised figure, the state’s 2026 spending plan remains the N524.411 billion appropriation originally approved for the year.
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