In what appears to be a case of misplaced priorities, Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has reportedly spent a whopping N527 million on refreshments and meals between January and September this year, while the capital allocation to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital in Osogbo stands at a meager N297 million.
According to the budget performance documents, reviewed obtained from SaharaReporters, the amount spent on “refreshments and meals” alone surpasses the state’s earnings from direct assessment taxes, which only amounted to N378 million over the same period. With these figures, Osun effectively spent its entire direct tax income – and more – on food and drinks for the government’s internal engagements.
Health services, which was underfunded in the current budget, seem to have taken the back seat as the administration channels substantial funds towards less essential expenses.
READ: Osun Community Seeks Adeleke’s Help Over Dilapidated Hospital
The Osun State Hospitals Management Board received just N45.6 million in capital expenditure, leaving hospitals and healthcare centers scrambling for resources.
This pattern of spending also reveals that 5% of the state’s internally generated revenue in the first three quarters of the year went into refreshments, while critical sectors like healthcare, which impact the lives of Osun residents, received far less.
This comes amid the state’s financial struggles. Osun, like many other states in Nigeria, relies heavily on loans and federal allocations to fund its budget.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
