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. Ogun Governor Tables ₦1.668trn 2026 Budget Before Assembly

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. Ogun Governor Tables ₦1.668trn 2026 Budget Before Assembly

By ‘Yanju Uwala

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has presented a total sum of N1,668,997,993,125.44 to the state assembly for approval as the 2026 budget proposal for the state.

Speaking during the presentation of the budget at the State Assembly complex, Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on Wednesday, Gov Abiodun stated that the revenue composition of the 2026 Appropriation Bill titled the “Budget of Sustainable Legacy” includes an estimated ₦250.00 billion from the Internal Revenue, ₦259.88 billion from other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), totaling ₦509.88 billion in IGR.

He said that funding from the Federal Government, including Statutory Allocations, Value Added Tax, and other shared revenues, is projected at ₦554.81 billion, while capital receipts are estimated at ₦518.90 billion, comprising internal and external loans and grants.

Abiodun said that the focus of the 2026 budget is to deepen revenue transparency, expand the tax base, and strengthen fiscal sustainability—without placing additional burdens on residents.

Gov Abiodun explained that “the 2026 Appropriation Bill—our seventh budget—titled the ‘Budget of Sustainable Legacy’ reflects a deliberate commitment to preserving, deepening, and expanding the transformative foundations already laid over the years.

“It is a financial plan anchored on continuity, consolidation, and long-term impact—ensuring that the progress achieved evolves into lasting benefits for current and future generations.

“A total expenditure of ₦1,668,997,993,125.44 (₦1.669 trillion) is proposed for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a 63% growth over the 2025 Budget. The proposed expenditure comprises ₦624.76 billion (37%) as recurrent expenditure and ₦1.044 trillion (63%) as capital expenditure.”

The governor said that Personnel Costs are put at ₦167.92 billion, Consolidated Revenue Charges will gulp ₦65.80 billion, Public Debt Charges will take ₦99.98 billion, while Overhead Costs are put at ₦291.06 billion, with Capital Expenditure expected to gulp ₦1.044 trillion.

Further sectoral breakdown of the budget shows that Infrastructure received the lion’s share of the budget, totaling N526.15bn, forming 32% of the Appropriation Bill. This was followed by Education, which got N275.40bn (17%), and Health, with a total sum of N210.59bn, taking 13% of the 2026 financial estimate.

The governor said that the key physical capital projects in the 2026 Budget include the construction of about 450km of urban and rural roads across the state, the construction and rehabilitation of blocks of classrooms and technical workshops across the state.

Others are the construction of a 2,500-seater capacity State Banquet Hall, the upgrade of the Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, and Government House, Abeokuta, the construction of the Olokola Deep Sea Port, dairy farms, the world’s largest cotton factory set to employ over 250,000 people and produce over 1,000 tons of finished cotton products daily on public public-private partnership.

He stated that the state also in 2026 will also hold the Gateway Afrobeat Drum Festival which will serve as a grand celebration of the State’s rich cultural heritage—engaging the youth, attracting visitors, supporting local enterprises, creating jobs, and stimulating investment.

This festival, he said, will further strengthen the State’s position as a leading hub for African rhythm, creativity, and cultural innovation.

The governor also hinted that the golden jubilee of the state, scheduled for next year, will inspire unity, pride, and a renewed sense of belonging among the citizens at home and in the diaspora.

Giving an appraisal of the performance of the outgoing 2025 Budget, Governor Abiodun revealed that as of 30th September 2025, the State had recorded 58% of its pro‑rated revenue target and 52% of its pro‑rated expenditure target, describing this performance as evidence of fiscal discipline and a solid foundation.

He expressed optimism that by year-end, the State’s overall budget performance would reach between 70 and 75%, providing a stronger financial base for the 2026 Budget.

The governor said that his government in the last six years had constructed over 1500km of roads, brought over 70,000 under the coverage of Health Insurance, and was on track to meet the pledge of his administration to provide 10,000 housing units for the people of the state.

Abiodun also said that commercial flights at the newly completed Gateway International Airport have commenced, while the first phase of the proposed 34.1MW Power Plant Project that will provide 24 hours of uninterrupted power supply at Onijanganjangan is now nearing completion, with over ₦587 disbursed to support the owners of small and medium-scale businesses.

The Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, noted that the presentation of the Appropriation Bill was a constitutional provision meant to ensure prudent utilization of public funds.

Elemide highlighted key legislative achievements, including the hosting of the third edition of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies Secondary School Competition on Legislature and Democracy; the Fifth Children’s Parliament maiden plenary, and the Southwest Youth Parliament, emphasizing the House’s commitment to democracy and good governance.

He disclosed that 19 bills were considered, with 11 passed, alongside 56 wide-ranging resolutions across education, finance, judiciary, audit, sports, infrastructure, community development, and transport compliance; while over 100 other matters relating to land, chieftaincy, environment, and transport unions were amicably resolved.

He also stressed the need for a Special Court to handle cases relating to the Anti-Land-Grabbing Law, as land disputes now constitute more than 90% of petitions before the House.

NUJ Elections: Ogun CP Ogunlowo Appeals for Peace

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NUJ Elections: Ogun CP Ogunlowo Appeals for Peace

Ogun CP Ogunlowo Sues FOR Peace As NUJ Prepares For Election

…Police assure journalists of adequate security

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has called for a peaceful and orderly conduct as members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, prepare for their forthcoming election.

Speaking ahead of the poll, CP Ogunlowo reaffirmed the longstanding cordial relationship between the Police and journalists, assuring that the Command would provide full security support before, during, and after the exercise.

“We are friends with journalists just as they are to us. We expect everything to go smoothly,” he said. “As a security agency, we will provide adequate security and any other support required for the election process. We do not envisage any problems, but as far as security is concerned, we will be on ground throughout. We also believe members of the Union will abide by the guidelines so we can have a rancour-free election.”

Responding to concerns over previous incidents of violence associated with the Council’s elections, the Commissioner maintained that the Police would not tolerate any breach of peace.

“If there had been precedents, I would expect that the NUJ would have devised ways to deal with them by now. But seriously, whether it is an election or any other event, the Police do not expect nor condone any breakdown of law and order,” he said.

He warned that anyone who disrupts the process would face legal consequences.

“If anyone misconducts himself or engages in violence, we will do our job as Police and make such a person face the law. We want everybody to be law-abiding: vote peacefully and leave the venue. Anyone who causes violence will be made to face the music.”

CP Ogunlowo reiterated the commitment of the Command to safeguarding the electoral environment and wished all contestants and members of the Union a successful exercise.

“We wish everybody the very best,” he concluded.

Earlier, Chairman of the 2025 Credentials and Screening Committee of Ogun NUJ, Comrade Abiodun Taiwo, thanked the Commissioner for the cordial relationship between the Police and journalists in the state. He noted that the support from the Command has assisted journalists in carrying out their constitutional duties without hindrance.

Taiwo said the Electoral Committee visited the Command to brief it on activities lined up for the 2025 triennial delegates’ conference and solicited adequate security coverage for the event. He reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to continued collaboration with the Police in the effective discharge of their respective functions.

Also in the entourage of the Chairman of the Electoral committee are other members which include Doris Olumoko and Yemisi Fashola.

First Lady Urges Enhanced Support Systems for People With Disabilities

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First Lady Urges Enhanced Support Systems for People With Disabilities

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on the nation to deepen its commitment to supporting and empowering persons with disabilities, enabling them to live independently and participate fully in national life.

She made the remarks in her message marking the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing that a truly inclusive society provides every citizen, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to social and economic life.

Senator Tinubu urged governments at all levels, institutions, and communities to strengthen policies and systems that promote accessibility, social inclusion, and dignity for persons with disabilities.

“The 2025 theme calls for a renewed national commitment to accessibility, empowerment, and the removal of barriers that limit the full participation of people with disabilities,” she said, adding that inclusion is not an act of charity but a critical pillar of sustainable development, social justice, and national cohesion.

The First Lady extended her solidarity to millions of Nigerians living with disabilities, reaffirming the administration’s support for inclusion initiatives and ongoing advocacy to advance their rights and welfare.

Education Remains Nigeria’s Strongest Weapon Against Terrorism – VeryDarkMan

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Education Remains Nigeria’s Strongest Weapon Against Terrorism – VeryDarkMan

Nigerian social critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has outlined what he believes is the only lasting solution to terrorism and insecurity in the country.

In a video posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, VDM attributed the persistent security challenges to a lack of education, particularly in northern Nigeria. He claimed that most individuals involved in terrorism come from the region, arguing that expanding access to education would reduce the number of young men drawn into criminal activities.

He said Nigeria needs a leader who is willing to dedicate at least four years of an eight-year tenure to enforcing widespread education in the North.

The only solution to terrorism is to educate the Northerners. Any Nigerian leader that will take four years out of his eight years to educate the North, force education on them, has solved terrorism problems,” he said.

According to him, knowledge would empower young people and reduce their vulnerability to manipulation.

“Let them have the knowledge because knowledge is power. Until then, Nigeria may suffer more in years to come. They don’t go to school in the North; rather, they study religion. That is why the fewer people that are educated keep using the uneducated as their weapons,” he added.

VDM also claimed that the large population of out-of-school children in northern states makes it easy for criminal groups to recruit.

“If I want to start terrorism today, I will go to Maiduguri, Zamfara or somewhere. If you go to the North, you see a lot of young people in the streets begging. You can easily pack ten thousand of them and bring them to Abuja,” he said.

Daniel Hails APC Leadership for Stepping In on Ogun

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Daniel Hails APC Leadership for Stepping In on Ogun

Daniel Salutes APC NWC For Intervening In Ogun Suspension Crisis

…urges 100,000 Ijebu-North students to register for NELFund programme

The Senator representing Ogun-East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has commended the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for intervening in the purported suspension of his membership by the party’s Ogun State chapter.

Speaking on Sunday in Ijebu North Local Government Area, Daniel described the NWC’s action as timely and essential to restoring internal order within the party.

The occasion also marked a major boost for his BATOGD political movement, which formally received members of the Ijebu North Forum as they defected to the group with hundreds of their supporters.

Addressing the gathering, Daniel dismissed the Facebook-announced “suspension” circulated by aides of the state governor, insisting that neither he nor the BATOGD Movement had engaged in any anti-party activities. He described the purported suspension as “political theatre” driven by intolerance for inclusive governance.

He further accused the Ogun State Government of running what he called a “three-man closed system,” where dissenting voices are allegedly met with threats, victimisation, or exclusion from government benefits. Daniel said his past attempts to advise the governor privately resulted only in public ostracism.

The senator also raised concerns over reported interference in federal rehabilitation works on the Itanrin and General Hospital Roads; projects facilitated under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. According to him, alleged pressure from the state government on local authorities to halt the projects could result in the loss of federal funding.

Daniel warned that if the obstruction continues until December 2025, the funds may be returned to the federal treasury. He added that some contractors in Abuja have grown hesitant to work in Ogun State due to what they perceive as politically motivated disruptions.

He appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to intervene, urging the governor to allow the road projects to proceed for the benefit of residents who urgently need improved infrastructure.

Daniel also reflected on his achievements as governor, including the establishment of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, the multi-campus expansion of Olabisi Onabanjo University, and widespread infrastructure development across Ogun East. He noted that, as senator, he has continued to attract projects such as solar streetlights, motorised boreholes, and legislation for a proposed Federal Medical Centre in Ijebu-Ode.

Reaffirming the commitment of the BATOGD Movement to the development of Ogun East and the success of President Tinubu’s administration, Daniel said political distractions would not deter ongoing developmental efforts.

Another key highlight of the event was a call for 100,000 students in Ijebu North to register for the NELFund programme. The President of NELFund, Jim Ovia, who attended the event, underscored the importance of the initiative and encouraged parents to support their children in taking advantage of the opportunity.

The event drew a large crowd of political leaders, community organisations, youth groups and newly aligned supporters, including members of the Ijebu North Forum whose defection to the BATOGD group was formally acknowledged.

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Akesan Day: Omoluabi Movement Felicitates Governor Abiodun, Iperu Community

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Akesan Day: Omoluabi Movement Felicitates Governor Abiodun, Iperu Community

The popular Ogun State political group, the Omoluabi Movement, convened by Iperu-born real estate magnate and political mobiliser Armstrong ’Tope Akintunde has congratulated the people of Iperu and Governor Dapo Abiodun on the successful hosting of the 2025 Akesan Day celebrations.

Iperu, hometown of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, witnessed yet another colourful and memorable edition of the age-long cultural festival, held at the Apollo Ground in the heart of the town.

In its congratulatory message, issued under the supervision of Hon. Olusegun Kaka, the movement noted that Akesan Day has grown into a global celebration that continues to attract distinguished personalities from within and outside Nigeria.

The group commended Governor Abiodun, describing him as a proud