By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed into law the 2026 Amended Appropriation Bill, raising the state’s budget from N524.4 billion to N775.5 billion.
The new figure represents an increase of N251.1 billion over the original budget.
The bill was passed on Friday at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji. The amendment followed a proposal of N769.3 billion presented to the House by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa a few weeks ago.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, said the committee subjected the bill to detailed scrutiny before making its recommendations.
According to the committee, Schedules I and II of the 2026 Appropriation Law were altered to accommodate changes in active heads and sub-heads. It observed that some budgetary heads had become less active, while funds for highly active heads had been exhausted, necessitating additional provisions before the end of the fiscal year.
The committee noted that the revised budget would support the government’s vision of accelerating development, particularly in road and bridge construction, water supply, healthcare and other critical infrastructure. It added that the amendment would provide funds to sustain ongoing projects and meet emerging needs.
It recommended that government conscientiously apply the revised schedules to the needs of the people and take steps to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to sustain the new provisions under the administration’s EASE Agenda.
The committee recommended approval of N775,518,229,772.00 for recurrent and capital expenditure.
Following the presentation, the House Leader, Chief Olatunji Oshati, moved the motion for the bill to be read for the third time and passed. The motion was seconded by Rt. Hon. (Prince) Abayomi Akinruntan Lawmaker representing Ilaje constituency I and unanimously adopted via voice vote.
Meanwhile, the House committed two other bills to committees after scaling second reading.
A Bill to provide for retirement age and enhanced remuneration for Magistrates and Presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts in Ondo State was committed to the House Committee on Judiciary and Public Petition.
The motion was moved by Hon. Oshati and seconded by Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju Lawmaker representing Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo.
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Barr. Stephen Abitogun, and Barr. Felix Afe, described the bill as timely, noting that Magistrates and Customary Court Presidents deliver justice at the grassroots where access to High Courts is limited. They said improved remuneration would recognise their demanding duties and often remote postings.
A Bill for the establishment of Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo, was also committed to the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Science and Technology.
Speaker Oladiji and Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi the Lawmaker representing Owo constituency I supported the bill, saying the university would expand educational opportunities and stimulate socio-economic development in Owo and Ondo State at large.
The motion for committal was moved by the House Leader and seconded by Hon. Japhet Oluwatoyin.
The House also welcomed a former Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Iroju Ogundeji recently appointed Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to the Governor.
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