Enoch Oyedibu
In the past six years, Ondo and Ogun States in Southwest Nigeria have collectively spent over ₦10.733 billion on their respective government houses, according to audited financial reports and approved budgetary allocations from each state.
Despite facing economic challenges and high levels of debt, both states have continued to allocate significant funds to maintain their government houses, raising questions about the necessity of such expenditures.
Ondo State has emerged as the larger spender, having allocated a staggering ₦8.7 billion from 2019 to 2024 for its Government House.
Ogun State, on the other hand, allocated over ₦2.033 billion over the same period.
This trend of substantial allocations persists, even though both states are grappling with pressing socio-economic issues such as debt, insecurity, and poor infrastructure.
In 2019, the Ondo State Government spent ₦1.1 billion on its Government House, followed by an increase to ₦1.4 billion in 2020.
In comparison, Ogun’s spending for the Government House in 2020 was a more modest ₦300 million, despite the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ondo continued its high level of spending in subsequent years, with ₦1.3 billion allocated in 2021, ₦1.5 billion in 2022, and ₦1.7 billion in 2023.
The trend is set to continue in 2024, with the state planning to allocate another ₦1.7 billion.
This brings the total amount spent by Ondo on its Government House to over ₦8.7 billion in six years.
Ogun State’s spending has been somewhat lower but still significant, with consecutive allocations year after year.
In 2024, Ogun plans to spend ₦566 million on its Government House, bringing its five-year total to over ₦2.033 billion.
Ondo and Ogun stand out among the six Southwest states as the only ones that consistently budget substantial amounts for their government houses.
In contrast, Oyo, Osun, Lagos, and Ekiti have allocated funds for their respective “Governor’s Offices” instead of a specific budget for government house maintenance.
This unique budgeting approach by Ondo and Ogun has sparked debate, especially given the economic conditions both states face.
Ondo, in particular, has been grappling with significant debt levels, while Ogun faces challenges such as insecurity, cult-related violence, crime, and poor infrastructure.
Many observers argue that the continued allocation of large sums to maintain government houses may not align with the urgent needs of the states’ citizens.
The decision to allocate such substantial amounts to government houses, especially in states facing pressing economic and infrastructural challenges, has raised concerns about government priorities.
Critics argue that the funds could be better directed toward essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development.
Ondo and Ogun consistent budgeting for their Government Houses, even during the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of economic strain, has also drawn attention.
In 2020, while many sectors faced funding cuts due to the pandemic’s impact on the economy, both states still prioritised their Government Houses, spending ₦1.4 billion and ₦300 million respectively.
The continued high expenditure in 2024, with Ondo planning to spend another ₦1.7 billion and Ogun allocating ₦566 million, further fuels concerns about whether these expenditures are justifiable in light of the socio-economic realities of the states.
As the 2024 fiscal year approaches, stakeholders are calling for more transparency and fiscal prudence in state spending, particularly in areas that may not directly impact the well-being of citizens.
The argument is that, given the economic challenges both states are facing, there should be a reevaluation of priorities to ensure that public funds are used in the most effective and impactful manner.
In a region where other Southwest states have taken a more conservative approach to funding government offices, Ondo and Ogun’s hefty spending on their Government Houses remains a point of contention.
Whether these funds could have been better spent on critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure remains a question that both governments may need to address as they face increasing scrutiny from the public and civil society groups.
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