Ondo Assembly passes four bills, adjourns for working recess

By Tolulope Eniola

The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed four bills into law following their successful consideration at the third reading during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji on Tuesday.

The bills had earlier been committed to the relevant House committees and subjected to public hearings to obtain stakeholders’ contributions before their final consideration and passage.

The bills passed into law include one providing for an increase in the retirement age and enhanced remuneration for judicial and legal officers in Ondo State; the establishment of the Ondo State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo; the enactment of the Ondo State Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026; and the amendment of the 2026 Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) Appropriation Law.

Presenting the report of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges, its Chairman, Hon Stephen Abitogun, said the proposed increase in the retirement age and improved remuneration would enhance operational efficiency, productivity and stability in the administration of justice in the state.

He explained that the law would enable the state to retain experienced magistrates, presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts, state counsel and other management officers in the justice sector for a longer period.

The committee recommended that the title and citation of the bill should clearly cover chief registrars and deputy chief registrars of the High Court and Customary Court of Appeal, the Secretary to the State Judicial Service Commission, state counsel in the civil service, magistrates, presidents of Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts, the Director-General of the Multi-Door Courthouse and Customary Court inspectors.

It also recommended a transitional provision to protect serving officers who had not attained the age of 65 at the commencement of the law, allowing them to remain in office until they reached that age.

Presenting the report on the establishment of the Ondo State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo, the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Institutions, Hon Chris Ayebusiwa, said the proposal had received the support of the majority of stakeholders consulted.

He noted that the institution would be the first state-owned university of agriculture and science in South-West Nigeria, adding that the existing facilities of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic would help facilitate its establishment in Owo.

According to him, the university would reduce the need for researchers to travel abroad to conduct research, create employment opportunities, strengthen local research capacity, boost the state’s economy and generate revenue to support the institution’s sustainability.

The committee recommended that the institution should be named Ondo State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo, while Rufus Giwa Polytechnic should retain its existing name and identity.

In his report on the Ondo State Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the legislation would help curb multiple taxation and improve efficiency in revenue collection across the state.

He added that the law would address loopholes in the tax collection system and empower ODIRS, local government councils and law enforcement agencies to deal with irregularities relating to revenue collection.

Ogunmolasuyi further stated that the law would eliminate the use of touts, thugs and unauthorised groups in tax collection, as well as illegal roadblocks. It would also promote collaboration among ODIRS, the Joint Tax Board and local government areas to harmonise tax collection across the state.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation also presented the committee’s report on the bill to amend the 2026 Ondo State Internal Revenue Service Appropriation Law.

The committee recommended that the Revised Provision of N3,000,050,120.00 for recurrent and capital expenditure be added to the relevant heads of the 2026 Revised Budget of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) and approved by the Honourable House.

It also urged the State Government and ODIRS to ensure the effective implementation of the revised first and second schedules to address the operational needs of the agency.

The committee further recommended that, beyond the funds allocated to ODIRS through the State Appropriation, the agency should strengthen its internally generated revenue drive by adopting more effective mechanisms in line with existing laws. It emphasised the need for improved revenue generation to enhance the agency’s capacity to meet its responsibilities and support the state’s financial objectives.

Consequently, the committee recommended the approval of the 2026 Revised ODIRS Appropriation Law, with a total budget projection of N8,563,050,120.00, comprising N8,113,062,441.00 for recurrent expenditure and N449,987,679.00 for capital expenditure.

Earlier, following voice votes by members, the House Leader, Hon Olatunji Oshati, moved motions for the bills to be read for the third time and passed into law. The motions were seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Ololade Gbegudu, the Parliamentary Secretary, Hon Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, Hon Stephen Abitogun and the Chief Whip, Hon Sulaiman Murtala.

In another development, the Speaker declared a working recess for the Assembly from 27 October to 3 December 2026.

Addressing members, Oladiji said the recess should not be regarded as a period of inactivity but as an opportunity for lawmakers to strengthen legislative processes, engage more closely with their constituents, assess the impact of government policies and monitor the implementation of the state budget.

He urged members to inspect projects in their constituencies, identify areas requiring attention, review existing laws, identify legislative gaps and prepare proposals that would improve governance and strengthen democratic accountability.

The Speaker also encouraged lawmakers to use the period to reflect on their legislative responsibilities, evaluate their performance and prepare for subsequent legislative activities, while sustaining engagement with their constituents to address community needs.

He thanked members for their contributions and expressed confidence that the working recess would provide an opportunity to strengthen constituency representation and advance their legislative responsibilities.