The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA), through its Committee on Finance and Appropriation, has commended the State Ministry of Forestry for recording an impressive revenue performance of over 85 per cent in the outgoing fiscal year, describing the feat as a positive contribution to the state’s economic growth.
The commendation was given during the ongoing 2026 budget defence session at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when the Ministry appeared before the committee to present and defend its proposals for the coming year.
Leading the committee, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi praised the management team of the Ministry, headed by the Commissioner, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, for its commitment to boosting internally generated revenue (IGR). He urged the Ministry to build on the achievement by surpassing its current performance in the next fiscal year through more innovative, proactive and sustainable revenue-generating initiatives capable of further strengthening the state’s economy.
The lawmakers also applauded the Ministry for the revival of the once-moribund forest reserves at Oja Odan through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements. According to the committee, the initiative has not only ensured sustainable utilisation of forest resources but has also promoted reforestation and environmental protection.
While defending the Ministry’s ₦2.751 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, Engr. Oludotun attributed the strong revenue performance in 2025 to improved timber sales, ground rents and the leasing of forest land to private investors.
He disclosed that about 3,000 hectares of forest land at Oja Odan were leased to a Chinese firm, a move he said led to the reactivation of the forest reserve, increased revenue generation and job creation for residents of host communities.
The Commissioner assured members of the House of the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to the restoration, protection and sustainable management of forest resources across Ogun State, noting that such efforts would continue to align with the state government’s environmental and economic development goals.
Meanwhile, several other ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) also appeared before the committee to defend their 2026 budget proposals. These included the State Forestry Plantations (Project Area J4), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the State Teaching Service Commission, D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, the Ijebu-Igbo Polytechnic, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as the Local Government Service Commission, among others.
The House Committee reiterated its commitment to ensuring prudent allocation of resources and effective implementation of the 2026 budget in line with the developmental priorities of the state and the welfare of its citizens.
