By Divine Sam.

The Oyo State Government and its 33 local government councils have approved a combined sum of N4.278 billion for the conduct of chairmanship and councillorship elections scheduled for December 29, 2026.

The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday following the State Executive Council meeting.

According to Oyelade, the council approved the release of the state government’s counterpart funding to the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) to enable it to begin preparations for the polls.

He explained that the 33 local government councils would provide 60 per cent of the total cost, amounting to N2.5668 billion, while the state government would contribute the remaining 40 per cent, estimated at N1.7112 billion.

The elections are expected to take place across all 33 local government areas of the state.

In a related development, the State Executive Council approved N437.45 million for accreditation requirements for the Nursing Programme at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University.

Oyelade said the funding would support the institution’s efforts to expand beyond its traditional focus on science and technology and strengthen its drive towards financial sustainability.

He noted that the university was at the final stage of the accreditation process, warning that failure to meet the deadline for professional accreditation could jeopardise the investment already made in the programme.

The commissioner disclosed that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde had spent more than N3 billion on equipment for the commencement of the nursing programme.

The council also approved N6.744 billion as the state government’s 50 per cent counterpart contribution towards the construction, renovation and equipping of the Oyo Annex of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).

According to Oyelade, Oyo East Local Government Area would provide the remaining 50 per cent, bringing the total funding for the project to N13.489 billion.

Explaining the importance of the investment, the commissioner said, “About 70 per cent of patients accessing services at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, are from Oyo and its environs.”

He added that the council commended Governor Makinde for his development initiatives and cooperation with the state’s 33 local government councils.