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The Osun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fiscal accountability amid opposition-sponsored reports attempting to misrepresent its expenditures on travel, training, and facility maintenance.
In a statement released on Monday, the Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, debunked the figures being circulated on social media and some online platforms, describing them as mischievous and deliberately distorted to mislead the public.
According to Rasheed, the amount quoted for travels and trainings in the first half of 2025 represents the combined expenditure of all government agencies and departments, including international and local capacity-building engagements, not just the Office of the Governor.
“The amount connected directly to the Governor is very negligible. Governor Adeleke has consistently used the family’s private jet for official trips, including the ongoing visit to the United States, incurring minimal cost to the state treasury,” he said.
He explained that over 100 agencies, including ministries, parastatals, and tertiary institutions, undertook essential local and international training during the first six months of the year in anticipation of the busy political calendar ahead of 2026.
“The so-called ‘travel spending’ covers transportation, accommodation, and feeding for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and Heads of Agencies. These are not luxury trips but professional engagements aimed at strengthening public sector performance and service delivery.”
He listed some of the critical events attended during the period, including the Commonwealth Business Investment Conference, where Governor Adeleke led Osun’s delegation to secure development partnerships in the creative economy, agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, and other strategic sectors.
A significant outcome of the trip was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ESG Management Services UK Ltd, paving the way for structured foreign investment inflows into Osun.
Other key delegations during the period involved the Ministries of Commerce and Industry; Agriculture and Food Security; Science, Innovation and Digital Economy; Climate Change and Renewable Energy; Water Resources; and the Office of Mining and Natural Resources, among others.
The statement also addressed claims regarding expenditure on cleaning, fumigation, and refreshments, revealing that the figures cover multiple state institutions, including secretariats, schools, hospitals, and agency offices.
“The amount spent ensures a clean and safe working environment across the state. From the Government House to public schools and clinics, routine fumigation and cleaning are vital in preventing disease outbreaks,” the statement said.
Rasheed further attributed the apparent inflation in figures to the ongoing naira depreciation, noting that the cost of international engagement has surged due to the rising exchange rate.
“To get $1,000 today, you need over ₦1.6 million, unlike previous years when the same cost less than ₦400,000. That currency gap alone quadruples what would have been modest expenses. It’s disingenuous for critics to ignore this reality.”
The Spokesperson also emphasised that the data being circulated was transparently published by the state government itself as part of its open-governance commitment.
“There are no secrets. The widely quoted budget documents were uploaded on our official portal. If there was anything sinister, why would the government make them public?” Rasheed queried.
He encouraged interested citizens and stakeholders to utilise the Freedom of Information Act to request further breakdowns and analyses of expenditures.
“This is a government that believes in openness. We welcome scrutiny — but it must be honest, objective, and free from political mischief,” he concluded.
The Adeleke administration continues to receive local and international commendations for its prudent fiscal reforms, expanded investment drive, and pro-people governance agenda.
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