Makinde Vows to Keep Listening to Residents as Oyo’s 2026 Budget Consultation Opens
By Adewale Owoade
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated on that his administration will continue to engage citizens in the budget‑making process, ensuring that the 2026 budget reflects the aspirations and priorities of Oyo‑State residents.
Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Consultative and Engagement Meeting held at Ogunlana Hall, International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan,
Makinde said the seventh edition of the forum underscores the government’s commitment to a bottom‑up approach.
“This is the 7th in our Stakeholders’ Engagement series. We all have to work together to ensure there is no break in that cycle.
“There is something very important that I must say. I want to first of all appreciate our Economic Team for its consistency. We have seen the benefit of decoupling the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.
“I have said it many times that we are not going to be judged by how many kilometres of road we have constructed or how many schools we have built or other infrastructure but we think we will be judged by the institutions we are creating.
“In Oyo State, we are moving in the right direction as far as the institutions that we are creating and that is what will define this administration.
“I have listened to some of the issues raised here. Coming here every year is not for joking or trying to fulfil all righteousness but because we want to hear from the people. We want to listen to you.
“I remember in 2019, our first full budget. The budget we met in May 2019 was the budget from the previous administration and we reduced it by shaving off almost N180 billion from that budget. About this time in 2019, we had our own first budget.
“So, we decided to hear from the people, hear from them to know their aspirations for their government and I am glad that seven years on, there has been no regret because the people have taken ownership of their own budget. So, we will continue to try our best.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Makinde said the electorate will decide the next leader, but his team will present a candidate who aligns with the state’s roadmap for sustainable development. “Oyo people will ask the right questions; we are beyond stunt politics,” he declared.
The governor highlighted several achievements that have stemmed from the consultative process, including the completion of key road projects such as the Moniya‑Iseyin, Iseyin‑Ogbomoso and Oyo‑Iseyin roads, which have curbed rural‑urban migration.
He also announced plans to reform two technical colleges, implement the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and provide a safety net for women in the upcoming budget.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Musibau Babatunde, said the state government had been using the stakeholders’ meetings to influence its budgets since 2019 through a bottom-up approach that has made the state’s budgeting inclusive for effective implementation of projects.
He noted that the Agenda 2040 and the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027 are guides that also represent the top-down approach for the government to engage the people for a better economic development of the state through science, logic and data.
Babatunde reported that stakeholder engagement has lifted budget performance to 71.5 % in 2024, with revenue up 80.86 % and expenditure at 68.9 % for the first half of 2025.
The UNICEF representative, Mr Mohammed Okori, said Oyo State Government on Makinde’s watch has been proactive and accountable, which is why UNICEF has focused on it, adding that development partners do not take their resources to where they will not find traction.
He noted that the Fund will continue to support Oyo State.
The chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Kayode Martins, equally commended the governor for what he has done for workers in the state.
The event had in attendance a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice A.L Akintola; Secretary to the State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi and the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Adeniyi; PDP South-West Women Leader, Chief (Mrs) Bosede Adedibu; chairman of all Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; other top government functionaries, traditional rulers, religious leaders, labour leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and traders, among others.