The Oyo State Government has commenced preparations for its 2027 budget with the launch of the 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), alongside the training of 100 senior civil servants to strengthen leadership, succession planning and institutional capacity.

The twin initiatives, the government said, are aimed at promoting prudent fiscal management, improving governance and building a future-ready public service capable of driving sustainable development across the state.

The Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning began a five-day technical workshop on the preparation of the 2027–2029 MTEF at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre, with 60 participants drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for planning, budgeting and finance.

Representing the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ayobami Ojo, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Ghafar Bello, described the exercise as another step towards institutionalising transparent, realistic and results-oriented budgeting.

He said the MTEF remained a critical tool for aligning government expenditure with policy priorities, available resources and the state’s development agenda.

According to him, the workshop will enhance participants’ capacity in revenue forecasting, expenditure planning, programme-based budgeting and fiscal sustainability while ensuring that MDAs align their plans with the Omituntun 2.0 Roadmap for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2040.

Ojo urged participants to embrace transparency, accountability and realistic costing in the budget preparation process, adding that the exercise would produce credible revenue projections, expenditure ceilings and programme-based budgets for the 2027 fiscal year.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Tunde Ayanleke, lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the workshop, while the Lead Consultant, Ayuba Onifade, urged participants to provide accurate and reliable data to enhance the credibility of the framework.

Meanwhile, the government has also trained 100 top leadership cadres across MDAs on talent management and mentoring as part of efforts to strengthen succession planning in the civil service.

The two-day executive workshop, organised by the Ministry of Establishments and Training in collaboration with the American Open University, was held at the university’s Ashi-Bodija campus in Ibadan.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Services, Sunday Olagoke, the Head of Service, Adenike Fasina, said effective talent management was essential for sustainable institutional development, noting that robust succession planning would ensure continuity in the public service.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Saliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, said the training would equip senior officers with leadership and mentoring skills required to improve service delivery and develop future leaders within the civil service.

He disclosed that similar programmes would be conducted regularly through the Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre in partnership with the American Open University.

“We need to begin to identify talents within the service and deliberately develop them. More than 100,000 civil and public servants depend on the leadership of fewer than 150 senior officers. Talent development and mentorship must therefore become a priority,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments and Training, Hameed Alade Bello, urged participants to maximise the opportunity, describing the workshop as an important investment in the future of the state’s public service.