The Osun State House of Assembly has taken a major step toward shaping the state’s financial direction for the coming year by passing the 2026 Draft Appropriation Bill, valued at ₦705 billion, through its second reading. The move was made during Monday’s plenary session at the Assembly Complex in Osogbo, marking a crucial stage in the state’s budgetary process.
Presenting the policy thrust of the proposed bill, Majority Leader Adewumi Babajide explained that the expanded budget size is designed to accelerate infrastructural development and address critical projects across various sectors in the state. According to him, the state government is committed to sustaining growth, improving service delivery, and meeting the demands of a developing economy.
Adewumi noted:
“The expansion of the budget is to cater for ongoing infrastructural development and essential projects across Osun State”
His remarks set the tone for deliberations as lawmakers took turns to assess the proposed budget. Members of the House praised the document as one aimed at strengthening the economic foundation of the state. They described it as forward-looking, emphasising that early passage would ensure seamless government operation in the 2026 fiscal year.
Speaker Adewale Egbedun, while aligning with the lawmakers’ perspectives, assured that the bill would undergo a thorough and transparent legislative process. He affirmed the Assembly’s readiness to give the proposal the attention it deserves, in accordance with the House Standing Orders.
Quoting Order 95, subsection 5(b) of the Standing Orders, Speaker Egbedun announced that the bill has been referred to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for an in-depth review. He directed the committee to immediately prepare a timetable for the upcoming budget defence sessions, which will involve all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The Speaker added:
“All MDAs must be fully prepared to defend their allocations before the committee”
He further disclosed that the budget defence exercise is scheduled to take place from November 24 to December 4, providing lawmakers with adequate time to carefully scrutinise sectoral allocations, spending priorities, and revenue projections. Egbedun stressed the importance of strict adherence to the timetable to ensure the timely consideration and passage of the budget before year-end.
The plenary session concluded with the formal commitment of the N705bn appropriation bill to the House Committee, signalling the beginning of detailed legislative work that will determine the final shape of the state’s financial blueprint for 2026.
