The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA), through its Committee on Finance and Appropriation has commended the State Ministry of Forestry, led by Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, for achieving over 85% in its revenue performance in the outgoing year, while urging it to surpass the achievement in the next fiscal year to boost the state’s economy through innovative and proactive revenue-generating initiatives.
Members of the House Committee, led by its Chairman, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi gave the commendation on Wednesday, during the ongoing 2026 Budget defence at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The lawmakers also applauded the Ministry for reviving the moribund forest reserves at Oja Odan through Public-Private Partnerships with focus on sustainable tree utilisation and reforestation.
Defending the Ministry’s ₦2.751bn 2026 budget proposals, the Commissioner, attributed the 2025 revenue performance to timber sales, ground rents and land leases to private investors.
He disclosed that the Ministry leased 3,000 hectares of forest land at Oja Odan to a Chinese firm, which reactivated the reserve, generated revenue and created jobs for citizens in the host communities.
Engr. Oladotun also assured the State lawmakers of sustained efforts toward the restoration, protection and sustainable management of forest resources across the State.
Meanwhile, other agencies and institutions that had their budget proposals considered by the State lawmakers included the State Forestry Plantations (Project Area J4), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the State Teaching Service Commission, D. S. Adrgbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, its Ijebu Igbo counterpart, as well as the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs alongside the Local Government Service Commission amongst others.
