Features
How governor Adeleke spends N3.1Billion on foreign trips in six months—more than on basic education, water
Written By: SaharaReporters
31 Jul 2025 12:44 PM
A review of the Osun State budget performance for the first half of 2025 has revealed that the state spent a total of N3.1 billion on international travels within just six months.
According to the reviewed document, the international travels were carried out between January and June 2025.
A breakdown of the spending shows that "international travels and transport (others)" alone gulped N2.854 billion, while "international travels and transport (training)" accounted for an additional N256 million.
Combined, these expenditures represent a significant chunk of the state's overall spending, raising concerns about priorities in the face of pressing development needs.
Other expenses included N1.674 billion spent on refreshments and meals, while honorariums and sitting allowances accounted for N702.8 million.
In comparison, essential ministries and agencies received less funding compared to international travel.
The Ministry of Water Resources, which is crucial for providing access to clean water and addressing water-related issues, had an expenditure of N1.263 billion.
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), tasked with improving basic education across the state, spent N2.094 billion, which falls short of the N3.1 billion spent on foreign trips.
The State Primary Healthcare Development Board received only N156 million in the same period, significantly lower than the budget for overseas travel.
In terms of fiscal responsibility, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration also incurred significant debt servicing costs. In the first half of 2025, the state paid N12.097 billion to service existing debts.
This figure represents approximately 40% (39.6%) of the N30.5 billion the state generated internally during that period.
A further breakdown of the budget performance reveals that more was spent on debt servicing than on all of the state’s tertiary institutions combined.
Osun State University, Osogbo, recorded an expenditure of N3.8 billion between January and June 2025.
The University of Ilesa received N2.6 billion, while Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, got N1.957 billion.
Over time, concerns have grown over how states spend public funds, especially in light of their limited revenue generation.
Experts and stakeholders warn that continued lavish spending and rising debt servicing costs could hinder development and deepen fiscal challenges at the subnational level.
According to the reviewed document, the international travels were carried out between January and June 2025.
A breakdown of the spending shows that "international travels and transport (others)" alone gulped N2.854 billion, while "international travels and transport (training)" accounted for an additional N256 million.
Combined, these expenditures represent a significant chunk of the state's overall spending, raising concerns about priorities in the face of pressing development needs.
Other expenses included N1.674 billion spent on refreshments and meals, while honorariums and sitting allowances accounted for N702.8 million.
In comparison, essential ministries and agencies received less funding compared to international travel.
The Ministry of Water Resources, which is crucial for providing access to clean water and addressing water-related issues, had an expenditure of N1.263 billion.
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), tasked with improving basic education across the state, spent N2.094 billion, which falls short of the N3.1 billion spent on foreign trips.
The State Primary Healthcare Development Board received only N156 million in the same period, significantly lower than the budget for overseas travel.
In terms of fiscal responsibility, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration also incurred significant debt servicing costs. In the first half of 2025, the state paid N12.097 billion to service existing debts.
This figure represents approximately 40% (39.6%) of the N30.5 billion the state generated internally during that period.
A further breakdown of the budget performance reveals that more was spent on debt servicing than on all of the state’s tertiary institutions combined.
Osun State University, Osogbo, recorded an expenditure of N3.8 billion between January and June 2025.
The University of Ilesa received N2.6 billion, while Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, got N1.957 billion.
Over time, concerns have grown over how states spend public funds, especially in light of their limited revenue generation.
Experts and stakeholders warn that continued lavish spending and rising debt servicing costs could hinder development and deepen fiscal challenges at the subnational level.
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