Approves N8.7bn for textbooks, N5.9bn for SAfER health and food plan.
Ibadan: The Oyo State Government has increased its 2026 budget from N892 billion to N1.1 trillion.
The increment was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Oyelade said the State Executive Council approved the upward review at its weekly meeting on Tuesday.
He said the decision was taken to help the Seyi Makinde administration complete all ongoing projects across the state before the end of its tenure.
According to him, some ministries, departments and agencies had requested an increase in their budgetary allocations.
The commissioner also said the council approved the release of N8.7 billion for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
He said the total cost of the project is N23 billion, adding that the amount approved was the first tranche of funding.
“In accordance with UBEC Abuja, in collaboration with the World Bank, the textbooks to be purchased will be in Numeracy, Literacy, Mathematics, English Language and Basic Science,” Oyelade said.
He added that, once the textbooks are successfully procured and distributed, Oyo State will become eligible for a reward-based disbursement of US$2 per student per subject under the project’s results-based financing arrangement.
Oyelade further said the council approved the payment of $250,000 to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to give the state a stronger footing in attracting investment across Africa.
He also said the council approved N5.9 billion for the implementation of the 2026 work plan of the health insurance and food security components of SAfER.
SAfER, he said, was created by Governor Makinde in 2023 to cushion the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.
He said the initiative has helped to reduce transportation fares for workers, the elderly and vulnerable residents, while food was distributed, health insurance was provided for pensioners and support was extended to small-scale entrepreneurs.
The commissioner said the council believes the intervention should continue because hardship in the state has not eased.
He also said the council congratulated Makinde on the return of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) to continental competition after 27 years.
Oyelade added that the council appealed to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) to allow students to return to class and avoid further disruption of the academic calendar.
He said the council acknowledged the reasons behind the teachers’ action but warned that the social and economic consequences should also be considered.
The government, he added, is taking strategic steps to address the kidnapping incident in Oriire Local Government Area and bring the matter to a close soon.