As the All Progressives Congress (APC) takes its Renewed Hope 2.0 campaign to Akure, Ondo State, the state government and supporters of the Tinubu administration are highlighting federal and state projects spanning roads, healthcare, education, aviation, water supply and rural development.
The projects are expected to feature prominently at the rally as the party showcases what it describes as ongoing interventions under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Federal projects
Among the federal projects highlighted are the dualisation of the Ore-Ondo-Akure road, which runs through Odigbo, Ondo West and Ondo East local government areas. Reports indicate that the Federal Executive Council approved about ₦153 billion for the project, with contractors said to have been mobilised to site.
Other federal road projects include the dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Owo-Benin expressway, which links Ondo State with Osun and Edo states and serves communities in Owo and Ose local government areas. The project has faced funding challenges, but the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has reportedly insisted that construction must continue and that the road should remain motorable during the process.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is also expected to benefit Ondo State, with about 71 kilometres passing through Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government areas. The project is expected to improve access to coastal communities and support fishing and maritime-related commercial activities.
Also listed are the dualisation of the Akure-Ado Ekiti road, including the Akure-Iju section near the Ekiti State border, and the Ekiti-Akoko road. Both are expected to improve inter-state connectivity and reduce travel difficulties for commuters and businesses.
Beyond roads, the projects highlighted include a proposed Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital, intended to strengthen specialist healthcare delivery and medical training, and a proposed College of Aviation expected to create opportunities for young people interested in aviation careers.
The APC has also cited the appointment of Ondo indigenes into federal positions as part of what it describes as the state’s growing representation in the Federal Government.
Social intervention programmes
Residents of Ondo State are also among Nigerians eligible for federal social intervention programmes, including financial relief initiatives and support schemes for households, small businesses and vulnerable Nigerians.
Supporters of the administration argue that combining social intervention programmes with long-term infrastructure investment addresses immediate economic challenges while building a foundation for future development. They add, however, that the impact will depend on implementation, transparency and beneficiaries’ ability to access the support.
State projects
The Ondo State Government says it is also implementing infrastructure and social development projects using resources from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), internally generated revenue and other funding sources.
According to figures reported by Newmail, Ondo State received about ₦65.4 billion in allocations between January and June 2024, while its 18 local governments received about ₦35.3 billion during the same period.
State road projects highlighted in the governor’s 2026 budget presentation include the Oke-Aro to Idanre road, the Akungba to Ikare road, the Okitipupa to Igbokoda road and the dualisation of the Igbokoda to Okitipupa road.
The government says its rural roads programme delivered about 386 kilometres of upgraded roads across the 18 local government areas. Governor Aiyedatiwa has reportedly directed that at least five kilometres of roads be constructed in each local government area before the end of 2026, representing a minimum of 90 kilometres. The State Executive Council has also approved 101 kilometres of new road construction and rehabilitation.
In education, the state government says it has renovated 134 primary schools at a cost of about ₦6.7 billion and rehabilitated 60 secondary schools at an estimated ₦3.1 billion.
In healthcare, it has highlighted the expansion of its contributory health scheme, renovation of hospitals, recruitment of additional health workers and completion of a pharmaceutical-grade warehouse to improve medicine storage and distribution.
In the water sector, the government says it has rehabilitated water schemes in Oke-Igbo, Oba Akoko, Idoani, Okitipupa, Ilutitun and Araromi-Obu. The Owena Multipurpose Dam and Owena-Ondo water supply scheme are also receiving attention, while plans are in place to improve access to riverine communities through jetties and walkways.
Budget
The Ondo State Government initially presented a 2026 budget proposal of about ₦492.8 billion, with 57 per cent earmarked for capital expenditure. The infrastructure sector accounted for about ₦131.9 billion in the initial plan. The budget was later revised to about ₦769.4 billion, with reports indicating additional provisions for infrastructure, water supply and healthcare.
The government says the increased allocation will enable it to accelerate development projects and improve service delivery.
As the 2027 elections approach, the projects and interventions are expected to remain central to debates about governance and public service delivery in Ondo State. The APC rally is expected to provide an opportunity for the party to highlight the initiatives and engage residents on development priorities.