Ondo Assembly passes revised ₦489bn 2025 budget

By Precious Oluwole

1. The Ondo State House of Assembly has approved a downward review of the 2025 budget from ₦698 billion

   to ₦489 billion after it scaled through the third reading at plenary.

The session, presided over by Rt. Hon. Speaker Olamide Oladiji, revised the appropriation bill to a total sum of ₦489,998,360,173.48, comprising ₦240.7 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦249.2 billion for capital expenditure.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa had earlier presented a revised budget of ₦531.7 billion to the Assembly for consideration, proposing ₦254.4 billion for recurrent and ₦277.3 billion for capital expenditure. However, following scrutiny by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation and consultations with relevant stakeholders and MDAs, lawmakers reduced the figure by over ₦42 billion.

It will be recalled that the Assembly, in December last year, passed the initial ₦698 billion 2025 Budget of Recovery, which has now been cut by more than ₦209 billion in total adjustments.

Presenting the committee report, Chairman of the Finance and Appropriation Committee, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, explained that the review was aimed at ensuring a realistic revenue profile for the state. He added that the adjustment was necessary as some anticipated funds from development partners had yet to materialize.

The House Leader, Hon. Olatunji Oshati, moved the motion for the bill to be read the third time and passed, seconded by Hon. Stephen Abitogun (Akure South Constituency II). The motion received majority voice votes in support.

Lawmakers described the revision as a measure to promote fiscal discipline, transparency, and efficient management of state resources rather than an addition to the initial budget.

In another development, the House held a ceremonial sitting in honour of the late Chief Ilesanmi Oguntoyinbo, who represented Akoko South West II Constituency in the Fourth Legislative Assembly (1999–2003).

Past and present lawmakers paid glowing tributes, describing him as an erudite lawyer and seasoned legislator who played a vital role in deepening democracy in the state.