Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) is a major haulage group operating in and out of the Apapa and Tin-Can Ports in Lagos. In this interview with newsmen, the General Secretary of AMATO, Alhaji Sani Bala Muhammed, speaks on the state of truck transit parks around Lagos ports, abuse of the electronic call-up system, the need for modern truck marshalling yards, and why port corridor congestion persists. TOLA ADENUBI brings the excerpts.

What is the current status of truck transit parks serving the Apapa and Tin-Can ports?

We have several truck transit parks linked to the electronic call-up system. These are the facilities where trucks are arranged, programmed, and released into the ports on a first-come, first-served basis. There are many of them spread across Apapa and Tin Can Port corridors. Some are public while others are privately owned. Examples of public parks include Lillypond Truck Transit Park, Tincan-approved parks and other facilities connected to the call-up system. Some are located within the port environment, while others are situated farther away.

Despite the cleanup of the port corridors, why are some truckers still avoiding the transit parks?

The major reason is the loopholes that currently exist within the call-up system’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Some people are able to obtain what we call direct or express call-ups, which allow them to access the ports without passing through the normal process of entering the transit park, proceeding to the pre-gate, and then waiting for their turn. What happens is that some individuals generate these direct call-ups and sell them to the highest bidders. Those who buy them gain immediate access to the ports. When truckers who are following the approved procedure spend one or two weeks waiting in transit parks and pre-gates, only to see others bypass the process, they become discouraged. Many then decide to stop using the transit parks and instead seek these direct call-ups. That is one of the major reasons some truckers are boycotting the approved process.

There have been discussions about establishing modern truck transit parks with rest facilities for drivers. What progress has been made?

AMATO has been actively involved in that project and we are still pursuing it. We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to accelerate the acquisition of 15 truck marshalling yards. The proposal is for government to acquire the land and establish proper truck marshalling facilities capable of accommodating large numbers of trucks.

How will the truck marshalling yards improve traffic management?

They will significantly reduce indiscriminate parking along the port corridors. Currently, before some trucks are allowed into the pre-gates, they often wait along the roads. Tankers and cargo trucks can be seen occupying different sections of the corridor. A properly developed truck marshalling yard would absorb these trucks. Instead of parking on roadsides and unauthorised locations, they would remain within designated facilities until called forward. This would free up the roads and improve traffic flow significantly.

Will tanker operators also be integrated into this arrangement?

Yes. There are ongoing plans to onboard tanker operators into the call-up framework. The objective is to ensure that tankers also operate on a booking system where they enter approved parks and only proceed to their assigned depots when called. This would eliminate the current practice of tankers parking indiscriminately along major roads while waiting to access depots.

Why is it important to bring tanker operators into the call-up system?

The current situation creates serious traffic challenges. Many tankers park along roads leading to depots, forming double and sometimes triple lanes. This obstructs traffic, inconveniences other road users and contributes significantly to gridlock. Beyond traffic concerns, it also affects port operations because trucks that need to access the ports cannot move freely due to these obstructions. Integrating tanker operators into the call-up system would ensure orderly movement and improve overall traffic management.

Do tanker operators currently have dedicated truck parks?

Very few. The major one I am aware of is the facility located under Marine Bridge. Beyond that, there are limited dedicated facilities for tanker operations. That is why efforts are being made to bring them into a structured parking and scheduling arrangement.

Some truck parks have been established in areas such as Lekki, yet operators are not fully utilising them. Why?

The process of bringing all stakeholders into the system is still ongoing. There is a need for continuous engagement and enforcement to ensure compliance. As more operators are onboarded and the system becomes more transparent, utilisation of approved truck parks will improve.

What recommendations would you give for the effective utilisation of truck transit parks in the country?

The existing transit parks are largely inadequate. What we need is a large-scale truck marshalling yard system that can accommodate more trucks and improve coordination. However, even if we establish all 15 proposed marshalling yards, the problem will persist if the loopholes within the call-up system are not addressed. The key issue is compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure. If people continue to abuse the system and obtain direct call-ups outside the approved process, trucks will continue to gather along the port corridors waiting for opportunities to bypass the queue. But if the SOP is strictly enforced and everyone follows the same process, there will be no need for trucks to park on roads waiting for call-ups.

Recently, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) carried out interventions that helped clear the Lagos port corridors. Why do you think the efforts are now futile due to the resurgence of traffic congestion around the ports?

Following the intervention and clean-up operations, some of the checkpoints along the port corridors were dismantled. However, we later observed that certain practices that contribute to congestion gradually began resurfacing, which necessitated further monitoring and enforcement efforts. There were concerns that some checkpoints and activities capable of creating artificial bottlenecks could undermine the gains already achieved. Such situations can contribute to delays in cargo evacuation, increase truck turnaround time, and ultimately affect the efficiency of port operations. As an association, our responsibility is to report observations and concerns to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. We have continued to escalate such issues whenever they arise. It is important to note that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), following the PEBEC intervention, has continued with follow-up enforcement operations to sustain the gains achieved during the corridor clean-up exercise. Similarly, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of the Maritime Command has also been actively involved in monitoring activities along the port corridors. The authorities regularly carry out inspections to ensure that unauthorised checkpoints do not re-emerge and that stakeholders comply with established procedures.

So, it is safe to believe that the resurgence of traffic is linked solely to checkpoints and compromised Standard Operating Procedure?

While unauthorised checkpoints can contribute to delays, the bigger issue remains compliance with the port access Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). As long as loopholes exist that allow some operators to bypass the approved call-up process, congestion will persist. To achieve lasting sanity on the port corridors, all stakeholders must comply with the established procedures, and enforcement agencies must ensure that no individual or group is allowed to circumvent the system. That is the only way to sustain the gains recorded after the PEBEC intervention and prevent a return to the era of severe gridlock around the ports.

The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Dr Sonny Echono, has identified corruption, nepotism, and political interference as major obstacles to effective governance in public universities in Nigeria.

He warned that the growing influence of non-merit factors in the appointment of vice chancellors is undermining academic excellence and institutional development.

Echono stated this while presenting findings from his doctoral research titled ‘Leadership Selection Process and Governance of Federal Universities in Nigeria (1993-2024)’ during a public lecture held at the University of Abuja.

The study, conducted over three years across 20 federal universities in the country’s six geopolitical zones, examined the relationship between leadership selection processes and governance outcomes in higher institutions.

According to Echono, the research established a strong positive correlation between transparent, inclusive leadership selection and effective university governance.

He noted that institutions that prioritise accountability, stakeholder engagement, and merit-based appointments tend to achieve better governance outcomes, improved institutional stability, and enhanced academic performance.

‘The research clearly demonstrates that transparent and inclusive leadership selection processes are critical to effective governance in our federal universities. Institutions that prioritise accountability and stakeholder engagement consistently record better governance outcomes and stronger institutional stability,’ he said.

He, however, lamented that political interference, nepotism, and corruption continue to compromise the integrity of leadership appointments in universities, thereby weakening governance structures and limiting institutional progress.

‘Political interference, nepotism, and corruption remain among the greatest threats to good governance in our universities. When leadership appointments are influenced by factors other than merit and competence, the entire institution suffers,’ Echono stated.

The TETFund boss recalled that Nigerian universities once operated a more competitive and merit-driven system where vice-chancellors were often appointed outside their states of origin, a practice that promoted national integration and reduced ethnic considerations.

He expressed concern that the increasing localisation of vice-chancellor appointments and preference for candidates with political connections have narrowed the pool of qualified candidates and weakened university autonomy.

Echono further noted that leaders who emerge through credible and transparent selection processes are more likely to promote research productivity, innovation, sound financial management, and collaboration among scholars.

The study also found that federal universities that actively engage stakeholders, including students, academic staff, alumni, and host communities, in leadership selection demonstrate stronger accountability, greater public trust, and improved governance effectiveness.

To address the challenges identified, Echono recommended the development and enforcement of clear, standardised guidelines for leadership appointments across federal universities.

He said such guidelines should clearly outline appointment procedures, qualification requirements, and mechanisms for stakeholder participation.

He also called for greater stakeholder involvement through the establishment of inclusive search committees comprising representatives of faculty, students, alumni, and industry stakeholders.

According to him, leadership vacancies should be publicly advertised, while technology-driven platforms such as online application systems, electronic voting mechanisms, virtual town hall meetings, and digital archiving should be adopted to enhance transparency and accountability.

The TETFund Executive Secretary further advocated regular independent audits of leadership selection exercises and effective feedback mechanisms that would enable stakeholders to report concerns and grievances.

‘Accountability must remain at the heart of university governance. Regular audits and credible feedback mechanisms are essential safeguards against abuse, manipulation, and violations of established procedures,’ he said.

Echono expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations would strengthen governance structures, improve educational outcomes, and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s higher education system.

Earlier, the vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, stressed the need for merit-based leadership and institutional reforms in Nigerian universities.

He cautioned that the increasing politicisation of vice-chancellor appointments by some governing councils poses a serious threat to university autonomy and effective governance.

Also speaking, the director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman, said the centre was established by TETFund to promote leadership excellence and strengthen governance culture in the country.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five associates of former Minister of Petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They are accused of concealing information regarding the whereabouts of their principal, who is alleged to be a financier of an aborted coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu.

Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State, has been declared wanted by the federal government, and his identified properties have been marked for forfeiture following his indictment as the sponsor and mastermind of the alleged coup plot.

The five associates are Reuben Ayuba, Musa Mohammed, Friday Paul, Paganengigha Anagaha, and Ayebaifife Suobite. They were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu.

A two-count charge filed against them indicates that the accused became accessories after the fact of felony on April 28, 2026, by concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, who is classified as a fugitive. The alleged offense is contrary to Section 519 of the Criminal Code Act Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Additionally, the DSS has accused them of conspiracy to commit a felony, specifically for concealing the whereabouts of Timipre Sylva, also a fugitive, in violation of Section 516 of the Criminal Code, LFN 2004.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

DSS lawyer Emmanuel Orubor requested that the judge schedule a date for the DSS to commence their trial by calling witnesses to testify against the defendants.

In response, Sunusi Musa, SAN, who represented Reuben Ayuba and Paganengigha Anagaha (the 1st and 4th accused persons), filed a bail application for his clients on various grounds. Similar applications were made by Ibrahim Imadegbelo, representing Musa Mohammed (the 2nd accused), I. G. Kelubia, standing for Friday Paul (the 3rd defendant), and E. C. Sogo, who argued for Ayebaifife Suobite (the 5th accused person).

The lawyers pointed out to Justice Lifu that their clients have been in custody since October 25, 2025, and urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.

In a brief ruling, Justice Lifu granted them bail in the sum of N5 million each, along with two sureties for each, in a similar amount. The sureties are required to swear to an affidavit of means, provide evidence of three years of tax payment, demonstrate visible means of livelihood, and submit recent passport photographs.

Justice Lifu ordered that the claims of identities of the sureties must be verified by the Registrar of the Court.

Pending the perfection of the bail conditions, the Judge ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja and fixed July 22 for the commencement of trial.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, has been recognised for becoming the first lawmaker in Nigeria’s legislative history to chair the Appropriations Committees of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The recognition was highlighted in the latest edition of The Parliamentarian Magazine, which described the achievement as a landmark in the country’s parliamentary history and a reflection of Senator Barau’s long-standing contribution to Nigeria’s budgeting and appropriation process.

Senator Barau first served as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations between 1999 and 2003, during the early years of the Fourth Republic, when Nigeria’s legislative budget process was being rebuilt after years of military rule.

Drawing on his background in accounting and financial management, he introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in the scrutiny of government budgets.

His performance in the role earned national recognition, prompting then-President Olusegun Obasanjo to appoint him to a presidential committee to review Nigeria’s budget process.

Nearly two decades later, Senator Barau chaired the Senate Committee on Appropriations from 2019 to 2023, making him the only legislator in the country’s history to have led the appropriations committees in both chambers of the National Assembly.

Speaking during the Senate’s consideration of the 2026 Federal Capital Territory Appropriation Bill, Senator Barau described the proposed budget as ‘top-notch’ and referenced his extensive legislative experience.

This was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Comrade Ismail Mudashir, a copy of which was made available to the press in Kano.

‘I am the only one in the history of the legislature in this country to have served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I am an authority in this regard,’ he said.

He also praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for presenting what he described as a well-structured budget with a strong emphasis on capital expenditure, expressing confidence that the allocations would accelerate infrastructure development and further transform Abuja into a world-class capital city.

Responding to his remarks, President of the Senate, Godswill Obot Akpabio, commended Senator Barau’s expertise in public finance, describing him as a valuable asset to the National Assembly.

According to The Parliamentarian Magazine, the Appropriations Committee is one of the legislature’s most strategic committees, responsible for scrutinising government spending, reviewing budget estimates, eliminating duplication and ensuring that public funds are aligned with national development priorities.

The publication said Senator Barau’s unprecedented achievement reflects his expertise, integrity and deep understanding of fiscal policy, qualities it said have distinguished him as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished legislators.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the latest revelations by the Association of Power Generation Companies (APGC) as the final collapse of the Tinubu administration’s carefully manufactured narrative on the settlement of power sector debts.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the Waziri Adamawa said Nigerians have now been presented with compelling evidence that the Federal Government’s repeated bond issuances have become an endless cycle of borrowing without accountability.

Atiku said the startling disclosure by the Executive Secretary of the APGC, Dr. Joy Ogaji, that the much-publicised ?501 billion bond had not even been fully disbursed, despite repeated government claims to the contrary, raised grave questions about transparency, fiscal discipline and the credibility of the administration’s economic management.

He said more damning was her challenge to the Federal Government to publish the complete list of beneficiaries, the amounts paid to each generation company and the dates of such payments if indeed the money has been released.

Her description of the government’s payment as ‘like rubbing oil on a crying child’s mouth to imply that he had eaten’ sums up the administration’s style, Atiku said: ‘grand announcements, impressive figures, glossy headlines, and very little substance.’

The former VP recalled that Nigerians were first told of a ?590 billion intervention, then a ?501 billion bond hailed as a breakthrough, followed by talk of a multi-trillion-naira settlement. He noted another debt package is being considered while Gencos insist liabilities keep rising.

‘If the earlier interventions worked, why is another intervention necessary? If the debts were substantially cleared, why are the creditors saying otherwise? If the government has faithfully discharged its obligations, why has APGC publicly challenged the Minister’s claims and demanded documentary evidence?’ Atiku asked.

He said these were ‘industry questions, not opposition questions’ and urged the government to answer them.

Atiku demanded that the Federal Government should immediately accept Dr. Ogaji’s challenge of full transparency by publishing the names of every Genco paid, the amount each received, the dates of payment, and the outstanding balances.

‘Public money cannot disappear into official press statements. Every naira borrowed in the name of Nigerians must be traceable to its destination,’ he said.

He accused the administration of treating governance as ‘an endless exercise in announcements,’ adding that while bonds are floated and headlines made, ‘electricity generation remains constrained, investors remain uncertain, businesses continue to spend fortunes powering themselves, and ordinary Nigerians still pay exorbitantly for darkness.’

Atiku called on the National Assembly, the Auditor-General of the Federation and other oversight bodies to conduct a ‘comprehensive public audit’ of all power sector intervention funds raised under Tinubu.

‘Darkness has become one of the most expensive commodities in Nigeria. The least Nigerians deserve is the truth,’ he said.

‘Transparency is not an act of generosity; it is a constitutional obligation. Nigerians are tired of official declarations that dissolve upon contact with reality. History will not remember how many bonds this administration floated. It will remember whether those bonds brought light to Nigerian homes or merely deepened the darkness of official opacity.’

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Tunde Lemo; former presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina; former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Funke Egbemode; and ace columnist and Saturday Tribune Editor, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, have called for sweeping structural and governance reforms to rescue Nigeria from its persistent political and economic challenges.

The four eminent Nigerians spoke at the First Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Aba-Ibeji, Ibadan, where they examined the country’s governance trajectory and urged leaders and citizens to embrace reforms capable of unlocking Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources.

In his keynote address, titled ‘Nigeria’s Kinetics: How Long?’, Adesina lamented that Nigeria’s enormous potential had been squandered by poor leadership, corruption and weak institutions.

‘As long as the worst of us continue to rule the best of us, there can be no solution to Nigeria’s problems,’ he said, while stressing that the country’s vast population and abundant natural resources should ordinarily make it a global success story.

Lemo also advocated a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s federal structure, describing the current governance framework as inadequate for addressing the country’s contemporary realities. He urged Nigerians to become more deliberate in demanding accountable and competent leadership, warning that emigration could not provide a lasting escape from the nation’s problems.

Speaking during the lecture, Olagunju argued that Nigeria’s decline was rooted in the abandonment of the principles that made the country function effectively in the 1960s and the early post-independence years.

He said Nigeria worked during the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo because of the quality of leadership and the genuine federal constitution under which the country operated.

According to him, Nigeria would remain difficult to govern unless the present ‘unitary’ federal system is abolished and replaced with a truly federal constitutional arrangement that restores autonomy and healthy competition among the federating units.

He maintained that meaningful national progress would remain elusive without far-reaching structural reforms capable of addressing the country’s recurring governance and development challenges.

Chairperson of the occasion, Funke Egbemode, said Nigeria’s problem was no longer a shortage of ideas but the inability of successive governments to translate vision into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.

She urged leaders at all levels to focus on practical implementation of policies that would improve the welfare of Nigerians.

Friends and associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari will on July 13 hold a special event in honour of the late president, who died last July at the age of 82.

Part of the special occasion, to hold exactly a year after his death in a private hospital in the United Kingdom, will include prayers and supplications for the repose of his soul, and tributes by individuals who worked with him during his eight-year tenure as civilian president to speak to his historical legacy and share their personal experiences of him.

A book of tributes titled ‘Tributes and Condolences in Honor of Muhammadu Buhari’ will also be unveiled.

Addressing journalists at his Asokoro residence in Abuja, Boss Mustapha, who served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation under Buhari, declared that the July 13 event, to hold in Abuja, ‘will not only honor the memory of the late President, but also serve as a source of comfort and encouragement to his family, his friends, his admirers and the entire people of the country who continue to cherish his worthy legacy of service to the nation.’

The former SGF, who is also the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, disclosed that Buhari’s successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be the Special Guest of Honour at the elaborate one-year remembrance event.

He said: ‘The commemorative event will bring together the family he left behind, his friends and associates, public officials and well-wishers to remember his life and to offer prayers and supplications for the repose of his soul.

‘The programme will consist principally of interfaith and interdenominational prayers reflecting the values of unity, faith and national cohesion that he upheld throughout his life and his service to our country. At the event, a select number of individuals who worked closely with the late President will speak to his historical legacy and share their personal experiences of him. A book of tributes titled Tributes and Condolences in Honor of Muhammadu Buhari will be presented to the public by the special guest of honour, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. In its pages, the global community, including heads of state, diplomats and political leaders, remembered the late President as a man of simplicity, resilience and integrity.

‘Following his passing at the age of 82 on the 13th of July last year, they all honoured his life for his humility, as I said, and as a source of inspiration. I should add that the book is neither for sale nor for fundraising. It is for free distribution.

‘Religious leaders representing the various faiths and denominations would lead prayers for him. Our hope is that the occasion will not only honor the memory of the late President, but also serve as a source of comfort and encouragement to his family, his friends, his admirers and the entire people of the country who continue to cherish his worthy legacy of service to the nation.’

The former SGF said the last one year has been a moment of solemn reflection for him about the times and life of the late Buhari.

‘Personally, I miss and I cherish the memory of the service I offered the nation through his instrumentality.

‘He appointed me Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and I served him for five years, several months. And we had personal moments, we had official moments. All are being held in memory.

‘When I look back at his simplicity, the way he conducted his life and reflect over it, you begin to question and you begin to have that feeling of the frailty and the transient nature of life.’

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has been formally appointed as the official Liquidator for the orderly closure of 46 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) whose operating licenses were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on July 1, 2026.

The appointment, made pursuant to Section 12 (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020 and Section 55 (1 and 2) of the NDIC Act 2023, marks a significant step in resolving the failure of these institutions and protecting depositors’ interests.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NDIC informed depositors of the affected banks and the general public that the 46 MFBs are no longer authorised to conduct any form of banking business in Nigeria. The Corporation urged members of the public to refrain from engaging in any unauthorised transactions with the closed banks.

It also warned against any attempts by individuals or groups to remove, conceal, retain, or interfere with the assets, records, or properties of the defunct institutions, stressing that such actions would violate the law and attract appropriate legal sanctions.

‘The NDIC has commenced the process of the orderly closure of the failed banks with their immediate takeover, verification and payment of insured sums to eligible depositors,’ the statement said.

The Corporation, in a statement on Wednesday, assured that the liquidation exercise would be conducted in a transparent and systematic manner to ensure maximum recovery of assets and prompt settlement of verified claims. Depositors and the general public would be kept informed regularly on subsequent developments, including timelines for claims verification and payment.

This latest development underscores ongoing regulatory efforts to sanitise the microfinance sub-sector, which has faced challenges ranging from poor corporate governance, undercapitalisation, and rising non-performing loans in recent years. Industry analysts note that the revocation of the 46 licenses reflects the CBN’s determination to maintain stability in the financial system and safeguard public confidence in deposit-taking institutions.

The NDIC, as the statutory liquidator, is expected to compile a comprehensive inventory of the banks’ assets and liabilities while prioritising the protection of insured deposits up to the maximum coverage limit. Affected customers are advised to visit the NDIC’s official website or designated verification centres for further guidance once details are released.

Financial experts believe the swift intervention will minimise systemic risks and prevent contagion effects on healthier microfinance operators. The Corporation reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all eligible depositors receive their insured funds without undue delay as part of the liquidation process.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved Governor Seyi Makinde’s request for a N330 billion budget realignment and supplementary appropriation.

The approval paves the way for accelerated execution of key infrastructure projects and other priority government programmes across the state.

The supplementary budget was transmitted by Governor Makinde to the House and read during plenary on Wednesday by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

The State Supplementary and Realignment Appropriation Bill, 2026 and the Oyo State Supplementary Finance Bill, 2026 scaled first and second readings before being referred to the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning for detailed legislative scrutiny.

Governor Makinde, in his letter to the House explained that the request became necessary following submissions by several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) seeking additional budgetary allocations to facilitate the timely implementation and completion of ongoing strategic projects across the state.

According to the Governor, the request was approved by the State Executive Council after considering recommendations of the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, which reviewed the funding needs of the affected MDAs in line with the administration’s Roadmap for Sustainable Development (2023-2027).

Governor Makinde stated that the additional expenditure would principally fund the completion of major infrastructure projects, including the Circular Road, Ido-Eruwa Road, Airport-Ajia-New Ife Expressway, Saki-Igboho Road and the Apete-Awotan-Akufo Junction Road project, as well as the ongoing remodelling and upgrade of the Ladoke Akintola International Airport.

The proposal also provides funding for ongoing construction works at the Government House, Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges (CRFC), public debt servicing, loan repayments, gratuity payments and preparations for the forthcoming Local Government elections expected to commence in the third quarter of 2026.

The Governor further disclosed that the requests for additional funding were received from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPPPA), Ministry of Finance, Office of the Executive Governor, Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), Ministry of Establishments and Training, Oyo State Road Maintenance Management Agency (OYSROMMA) and the Office of the Head of Service.

A breakdown of the proposal showed that the total additional expenditure amounts to N330 billion, comprising N35.5 billion for recurrent expenditure, representing 10.76 per cent, and N294.5 billion for capital expenditure, representing 89.24 per cent of the total proposal.

The proposal further indicated that N120 billion would be sourced through the realignment of existing capital allocations from MDAs with unspent budget provisions, while the remaining N210 billion would constitute a supplementary budget to be added to the State’s 2026 Appropriation Law.

With the Assembly’s concurrence, the 2026 Oyo State budget has increased from N892.09 billion to N1.102 trillion, representing an addition of N210 billion to the state’s fiscal framework for the year.

Governor Makinde had urged the lawmakers to expeditiously consider and approve the request, expressing confidence that the budget adjustments would guarantee uninterrupted execution of ongoing developmental projects, strengthen service delivery across critical sectors and sustain the administration’s infrastructure development drive.

Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has impounded 13 cattle during an enforcement operation at the Government Farm Settlement, Olowa, in Ido Local Government Area, following complaints by farmers over the destruction of farmlands by grazing livestock.

The enforcement exercise was carried out after the Authority received a formal petition from farmers in the settlement alleging that unregulated open grazing had caused extensive damage to cultivated crops and farmlands.

A team of OYRLEA enforcement officers, accompanied by security operatives, visited the area and confirmed that the cattle were grazing illegally within government-acquired agricultural land designated for crop production.

The Authority said the cattle were impounded in accordance with the provisions of the Oyo State Anti-Open Grazing Law, 2019, to prevent further destruction of crops and protect the investments and livelihoods of farmers.

Speaking on the operation, the Chairperson of OYRLEA, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (Rtd.), reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enforcing the Anti-Open Grazing Law across all 33 local government areas.

‘The Authority will not relent in its enforcement efforts until all farm settlements in Oyo State are completely free from illegal grazing and total compliance with the law is achieved,’ Aderemi said.

She described the enforcement as part of the government’s broader efforts to safeguard agricultural investments, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable land use across the state.

The OYRLEA chairperson also issued a stern warning to herders and livestock owners grazing cattle or occupying government farm settlements to vacate such locations immediately.

‘We are committed to the full enforcement of the Oyo State Anti-Open Grazing Law across all 33 local government areas. Livestock owners must embrace lawful and modern ranching practices in line with the provisions of the law,’ she said.

She urged herders to cooperate with government agencies to promote peaceful coexistence with crop farmers while protecting lives, property, and the state’s agricultural productivity.

Aderemi also appealed to members of the public to report cases of illegal grazing to the Authority through its official reporting channels.