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Oyebanji expresses satisfaction on Ekiti budget performance

..…Urges MDAs to Set up Internal Budget Implementation Team

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed satisfaction with the steady improvement in the State’s budget performance, describing it as a reflection of his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and prudent management of resources.

Governor Oyebanji stated this on Sunday during the Treasury Board Meeting involving senior government officials across MDAs and extra-Ministerial Departments on the Proposed 2026 Budget, held at the Lady Jibowu Hall, Government House in Ado Ekiti.

He commended the heads of MDAs for ensuring effective implementation of government policies and programmes, which, according to the Governor, has resulted in improved budget outcomes across various sectors.

The Governor, however, charged all MDAs to set up internal implementation teams to ensure seamless execution of approved projects and programmes in alignment with the 2026 budget.

He explained that such team would help strengthen internal monitoring, enhance performance tracking and promote greater coordination among departments.

The Governor said “ I also want to advise that as we have the budget implementation team at the state level, it wouldn’t be too much for MDAs too to have a small team to watch over your budget. MDAs should set up ministerial implementation team that will ensure that all programmes are in alignment with budget”.

Emphasizing that his administration places high premium on value for money and result-oriented budgeting, the Governor urged the state officials to avoid waste and ensure that every expenditure directly benefit Ekiti people.

While expressing satisfaction with his administration’s achievements in agriculture sector, the Governor said he was deliberate in investing hugely in the sector to address unemployment and food security.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said the 2026 budget will focus primarily on completion of all ongoing infrastructure projects across the various communities. He also expressed optimism that the 2026 budget would further bring unprecedented growth and development to the state.

“We are not doing badly at all with our budget, we must understand our nature as a people, understand our limitations and our own challenges. It is good to benchmark our self with states that are doing well but we are not in the same class, within our frame, where God has created us, we are trying our best and I must commend all of you.

“I am so happy with our achievement in the agric sector, that in one year we can create 5,000 jobs for our youth and they are there, they have not left and more people are clamouring to join them”, the Governor stated.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, who acknowledged the consistent efficiency of the budget planning process in the State, attributed it to the adoption of zero-based budgeting and a medium-term expenditure framework spanning 2026 to 2028. He expressed appreciation to the accounting officers and other government officials who have adopted and implemented new frameworks and budgeting techniques aimed at improving fiscal discipline and credibility.

Commending the state commitment to timely budget preparation and adherence to global best practices. Mr Adebayo, who stressed the importance of collective ownership of the budget document to ensure its successful passage, acceptance, and implementation across key sectors, particularly infrastructure and social services, urged all participants to carry the same level of dedication into the public execution phase of the budget.

Presenting the overview of the proposed 2026 expenditure estimate, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Barr. Olusola Akinluyi, who commended the Governor for his visionary leadership and commitment to fiscal responsibility, explained that the state budget performance in 2023, 2024 and 2025 had been a progression of systemic growth.

While maintaining that government had not taken any loan since the inception of the current administration, the Permanent Secretary noted that the projection for the 2026 budget has been put at N415 billion with the recurrent expenditure of N252 billion.

Also at the event were, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the state Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi, Chief of Staff, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, top Government Officials, among others.

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Again, Tinubu seeks NASS approval for $2.3bn, $500m borrowing, debt refinancing

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sought the approval of the House of Representatives for new external borrowing and debt refinancing totaling $2.3 billion, alongside the issuance of a $500 million debut sovereign Sukuk in the international capital market.

This was contained in a letter read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

The letter seeks the National Assembly’s resolution in line with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office, DMO, Establishment Act, 2003.

The president said the new borrowing is aimed at implementing provisions of the 2025 Appropriation Act, refinancing maturing Eurobonds and diversifying Nigeria’s funding sources through Islamic finance instruments.

According to him, the 2025 budget provides for $9.27 billion in total new borrowings to finance the year’s fiscal deficit, out of which $1.84 billion (N1.23 trillion at an exchange rate of N1,500/$) is earmarked for external loans.

The president urged the lawmakers to authorise the Federal Government to source the funds through any of the following options:

Issuance of Eurobonds; Loan syndication; Bridge financing from book runners; or Direct borrowing from international financial institutions

He equally revealed that Nigeria’s $1.118 billion Eurobond, issued in 2018 at 7.625% and maturing in November 2025, will be refinanced to avoid default.

“This is a standard practice in debt capital markets,” the letter noted, adding that refinancing through Eurobonds or syndicated loans would ensure debt sustainability and investor confidence.

He further noted that the decision was inspired by the government’s “considerable success” in domestic Sukuk issuances, which have raised N1.39 trillion since 2017 for critical infrastructure, particularly road projects.

He said that the proposed international Sukuk will help bridge the country’s infrastructure funding gap and deepen its investor base.

“If the ICIEC credit guarantee is utilised, 25% of the proceeds will be used to repay relatively expensive debt obligations, while the balance will finance pre-identified infrastructure projects,” the letter stated.

Tinubu assured the House that the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Debt Management Office, DMO, would work closely with transaction advisers to secure the most favourable terms and pricing for all capital-raising efforts, subject to prevailing market conditions.

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PSC chairman congratulates new police constables, urges professionalism

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) has extended heartfelt congratulations to the newly trained Police Constables graduating from various Police Colleges across the country today.

He described the passing-out ceremony as a proud moment for both the Nigeria Police Force and the nation at large.

In his message, DIG Argungu commended the recruits for their dedication and perseverance throughout their training, noting that their entry into the Force marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen internal security and professional policing.

He reminded the new officers that the Police Service Commission, which constitutionally oversees recruitment into the Force, will continue to monitor their conduct and performance as they begin active service.

The PSC Chairman also charged the new constables to contribute meaningfully to national security efforts by assisting in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other crimes threatening communities across the country. He assured them of the Commission’s continuous support through career development opportunities and capacity-building programs designed to enhance their effectiveness and welfare.

“Today marks the beginning of your noble career in service to your fatherland. I urge you to serve with honour, courage, and patriotism. Your success will bring pride to your families, the Police Force, and our great nation,” DIG Argungu stated.

The Police Service Commission remains committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and meritocracy within the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a safer and more just society.

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Don’t probe Ibas, ex-NBA President warns Rivers lawmakers

Former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN), has cautioned the Rivers State House of Assembly against probing ex-Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

Okocha stated this while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Port Harcourt.

He urged the lawmakers to focus on rebuilding the state through robust legislative commitments.

According to him, the House should channel its energy to accomplishing constitutional duties rather than probing.

He said that plans by the members to review as well as probe the Administrator’s spending during the six-month emergency rule were unnecessary.

Okocha said that if the probe was carried out, it could be misunderstood as a witch-hunt, since he was only deployed to accomplish a task as directed by President Bola Tinubu.

“I think Ibas deserved some honour and respect; it will be unkind if our lawmakers begin to talk about probing him since they did not appoint him, nor was he reporting to them.

“As a concerned citizen of the state, my advice to the Lawmakers is that they should ignore the plan of probing Ibas and allow the state to run peacefully along democratic lines.

“There’s an urgent need for a harmonious relationship amongst the three arms of government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary if we must move forward,” he said.

The former NBA boss, therefore, appealed to the lawmakers to preoccupy themselves with rebuilding harmonious relationships with the various arms of government to achieve democratic stability in the state.