The Oyo State Government has announced plans to secure over $30 million in international support aimed at boosting social protection initiatives and strengthening existing development programs in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The state’s Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Prof. Musibau Babatunde, disclosed this during an inter-ministerial briefing held at the State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.

According to Prof. Babatunde, the state is on course to secure a $14 million grant aimed at improving social protection services. Additionally, he revealed that Oyo State is collaborating closely with UNICEF to access a further $16.5 million in funding over the next three weeks to support various UNICEF-aligned programmes across the state.

Speaking on the state’s financial performance, Prof. Babatunde reported that the 2024 budget expenditure performance stood at 71.5 per cent, while revenue performance reached 91 per cent.

He attributed the progress to reforms in the state’s budgetary framework and improved fiscal discipline.

In the same briefing, the Chairman of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd), issued a firm warning to individuals rearing cattle in residential areas. She urged them to establish designated ranches or face legal consequences.

Justice Aderemi also announced plans for an upcoming summit that will bring together farmers, herders, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders. The summit aims to address ongoing clashes between herders and farmers and to seek sustainable solutions.

She encouraged residents to report any violations of state laws, particularly related to traffic, environmental infractions, and the Anti-Open Grazing Law, to the Enforcement Agency for appropriate action.