The Oyo State Government has commenced the preparation of its 2027/2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) while also training senior civil servants on talent management and mentoring as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal planning, governance and institutional capacity.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, said the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework remains a critical instrument for aligning government spending with policy priorities, available resources and the State Development Plan.

Represented by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Ghafar Bello, at the opening of a five-day MTEF walk-through session at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre, Ojo described the exercise as another milestone in institutionalising transparent, prudent and results-oriented budgeting in the state.

He said, “The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework remains a critical instrument for aligning government spending with policy priorities, available resources and the State Development Plan. A credible MTEF provides the foundation for realistic annual budgets capable of delivering measurable development outcomes.”

The workshop, attended by 60 officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for planning, budgeting and finance, is aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of the MTEF process and improving their technical capacity.

Ojo said the programme would deepen participants’ knowledge of revenue forecasting, expenditure planning, programme-based budgeting and fiscal sustainability while ensuring that MDAs align their plans with the Roadmap for Sustainable Development (Omituntun 2.0) and Agenda 2040.

He urged participants to embrace transparency, accountability and realistic costing throughout the budget preparation process.

According to him, “The technical session is expected to produce realistic revenue projections, programme-based budgets, strengthened monitoring frameworks and draft expenditure ceilings for the 2027 budget.”

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Tunde Ayanleke, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the workshop and releasing funds for the exercise.

Also speaking, the Lead Consultant, Dr Ayuba Onifade, urged participants to provide credible information for the exercise.

He said, “The quality of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework will depend on the credibility of the information supplied by all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”

Meanwhile, the state government has trained 100 top leadership cadres across Ministries, Departments and Agencies 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 institution’s Ashi-Bodija campus in Ibadan.

Representing the Head of Service, Mrs Adenike Fasina, the Permanent Secretary, Career Management Services, Office of the Head of Service, Barr. Sunday Olagoke, said talent management is critical to sustainable institutional development.

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He noted that “Strong succession planning guarantees continuity, prevents panic recruitment and addresses staff attrition.”

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof. Saliu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, said the training would equip senior officers with the leadership and soft skills required to improve efficiency, mentor junior officers and enhance service delivery.

He added that similar training programmes would be organised regularly, alongside certificated courses through the Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre in partnership with the American Open University.

Adelabu said, “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.”

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments and Training, Mr Hameed Alade Bello, described the workshop as a challenge to participants’ leadership capabilities and urged them to maximise the opportunity.