Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday presented a proposed budget of N490.74bn for the 2027 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly, saying it was designed to consolidate the achievements of his administration.
Christened the “Budget of Sustained Progress and Prosperity,” the proposal, according to the governor, would also lay a solid foundation for the state’s development over the next four years.
Oyebanji presented the budget at the Assembly complex in Ado Ekiti in accordance with Section 124, Subsection 4 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He said the proposal was also aligned with the state’s 30-year development plan, covering the period from 2021 to 2051.
The governor said, “The 2027 budget comprises N275.68bn for recurrent expenditure and N215.06bn for capital expenditure.
“The budget will focus on the six pillars of our administration—education and healthcare; good governance and transparency; arts, culture and tourism; youth and job creation; infrastructure and industrialisation; as well as agriculture and rural development.
“The proposal will further consolidate the gains recorded under our administration’s Shared Prosperity Agenda, while providing a framework for sustained development across the state.”
Earlier, the Speaker of the Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, commended the governor for the proposed budget, saying it reflected the aspirations and needs of the people as expressed during town hall engagements across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Aribasoye assured the governor that the Assembly would give the proposal thorough consideration.
He said, “As we receive this Bill today, the Assembly will approach its legislative review with patriotism, objectivity and thoroughness.
“Our scrutiny will rest on key imperatives—ensuring alignment with Section 121 of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Law and extant financial regulations; verifying that expected revenue sources are achievable and grounded in economic reality; guaranteeing that the public hearing process captures input from constituents and civil society; and ensuring equitable distribution of projects across the three senatorial districts, 16 local governments and 22 Local Council Development Areas.
“We shall also ensure balancing recurrent and capital expenditure to address the critical needs of our people.
“Where cooperation is required, we shall cooperate. Where scrutiny is required, we shall scrutinise. Where accountability is required, we shall demand it. This is not contradiction; it is constitutional democracy at work.”
Dignitaries at the budget presentation included the governor’s wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji; Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye; members of the State Executive Council; traditional rulers; government officials and other stakeholders.
