Felix Mbata, Lagos state
Executive Chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mayor Dr. Olufemi Akanbi Okeowo, on Tuesday 16th of December, 2025 presented a proposed budget estimate of ₦16.03 billion for the 2026 fiscal year to the Legislative Council, describing it as a strategic roadmap for sustained grassroots development and improved quality of life for residents.
Presenting the proposal at the council chamber on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Okeowo said the 2026 appropriation bill, christened “Budget of Continuous Development,” reflects the administration’s commitment to consolidating past achievements while addressing emerging needs across critical sectors.
Addressing the Leader and members of the Sixth Legislative House, party leaders and other stakeholders, the council boss highlighted key milestones recorded by his administration in recent years, noting that Ifelodun LCDA had witnessed visible transformation through people-oriented policies and impactful projects.
Among the notable achievements, he listed the completion of several road projects and the construction of an ultra-modern administrative building housing key functionaries of the council.
He also emphasized improvements in the healthcare sector, including the introduction of the Oke Health Insurance Scheme, implemented in partnership with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).
The scheme, popularly known as “OFE LO BA DE,” has enabled residents to access health insurance services free of charge, alongside periodic medical outreach programmes. Okeowo further disclosed that a state-of-the-art Primary Health Care Centre located at Safejo Roundabout had been completed and would soon be commissioned.
In the education sector, the chairman noted that the council had consistently invested in human capital development through the provision of scholarships, learning materials, desks and benches for pupils.
He added that free GCE and JAMB forms have continued to be made available to youths under the “OKE EDU” initiative, complemented by academic support programmes.
On social welfare, Okeowo described the council’s monthly food palliative distribution as one of the most consistent among local governments and LCDAs in Lagos State. Under the “OKE RENEWED HOPE FOOD PALLIATIVE,” between 1,000 and 3,000 residents now benefit monthly.
He also highlighted the “OKE MONEY” initiative, which provides a monthly stipend of ₦50,000 to small business owners and ₦10,000 to young couples, the elderly and other indigent residents, describing it as a cornerstone of the administration’s social safety net.
Breaking down the 2026 proposal, Okeowo disclosed that the ₦16,038,519,155.95 budget represents a 23 per cent increase over the 2025 budget, with 56.4 per cent allocated to capital expenditure and 43.6 per cent to recurrent spending.
According to him, ₦9.24 billion has been earmarked for capital projects, with infrastructure development—including roads and public buildings—receiving ₦7.38 billion.
Healthcare and environmental sustainability will receive ₦1.54 billion, representing 9.6 per cent of the total budget, while education is allocated ₦675 million or 4.2 per cent.
Other social services and amenities are expected to receive ₦700 million (4.4 per cent), while agriculture, rural and social development will get ₦50 million (0.3 per cent). Salaries and allowances account for ₦2.32 billion, representing 14.5 per cent of the budget.
The chairman also disclosed allocations for social safety and women empowerment at ₦68.9 million (0.43 per cent), while information technology will receive ₦66.8 million, amounting to 0.4 per cent of the total estimates.
Okeowo explained that the policy thrust of the 2026 budget includes the completion of ongoing infrastructure projects, the establishment of a vocational institute to promote skills acquisition, expansion of healthcare services through additional PHCs, rehabilitation of primary schools and increased support for scholarships.
He assured residents that social protection initiatives such as OKE MONEY and the Renewed Hope Food Palliative would not only continue but be strengthened in the coming year.
In his concluding remarks, the chairman reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance, noting that the budget aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the developmental vision of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
He urged members of the Legislative Council to give the proposal thorough consideration to ensure the passage of an effective and implementable budget that would further uplift the people of Ifelodun LCDA.