Ekiti Governor Oyebanji presents N490.74bn budget for 2027

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday shared a proposed budget of N490.74 billion for the 2027 fiscal year with the state House of Assembly.

Mr Oyebanji presented the budget, called the ‘Budget of Sustained Progress and Prosperity,’ in the assembly chamber in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

He explained that the budget aims to build on what his administration has achieved and set the stage for the next four years.

The governor noted that the proposal fits into the state’s 30-year development plan, which runs from 2021 to 2051.

The budget includes N275.68 billion for recurrent spending and N215.06 billion for capital projects.

Mr Oyebanji said these estimates would create a path for ongoing development and better living conditions for people in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the budget highlights six main areas of focus for his administration.

These areas include education and healthcare; good governance and transparency; arts, culture and tourism; youth and job creation.

Other areas are infrastructure and industrialisation, along with agriculture and rural development.

Mr Oyebanji mentioned that the proposed budget would build on the progress made under his administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda.

He added that it would enhance ongoing projects and open up new chances for economic growth in the state.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, praised Mr Oyebanji for his budget presentation.

Mr Aribasoye said the budget reflects the hopes and needs of residents gathered during town hall meetings across the three senatorial districts.

He assured that the assembly would carefully review the proposal before passing it.

He mentioned that the review would look at constitutional issues, revenue estimates, stakeholder input, and fair project distribution.

Mr Aribasoye said lawmakers would also check the balance between recurrent and capital spending.

"As we receive this bill today, the assembly will review it with patriotism, objectivity, and thoroughness," he said.

He promised that lawmakers would ensure fair project distribution across the three senatorial districts and 16 local government areas.

He added that they would also consider the 22 local council development areas in the state.

Mr Aribasoye stated that the assembly would work with the executive when needed and demand accountability when necessary.

He emphasized that this scrutiny is part of “constitutional democracy at work.”