The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has condemned the Osun State Government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, over what it described as reckless, unjustifiable, and wasteful spending of public resources.
The condemnation follows verifiable reports by SaharaReporters and The Guardian which revealed that the state government spent over ₦115 million on fumigation and a staggering ₦3.1 billion on foreign trips within a span of six months. These figures reportedly surpass the funds allocated to critical sectors such as basic education, water supply, and environmental services.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA described the financial decisions of the Adeleke-led administration as a disgraceful misuse of public funds in a state where the majority of residents still lack access to basic amenities.
“It is both morally and legally unacceptable for any government to prioritise frequent foreign travels and questionable fumigation contracts over the basic welfare of its people. If this pattern of extravagant expenditure is not addressed, it could worsen the state’s economic challenges and further alienate the people from governance.” Suraju said.
HEDA questioned the state government’s fiscal priorities and demanded full transparency in the use of public funds. The group specifically called on Governor Adeleke to publicly release a detailed breakdown of all foreign trips and fumigation contracts, including the names of contractors and the rationale behind the expenses.
In addition, the group urged the Osun State Government to drastically cut non-essential spending and reallocate resources to sectors that directly impact the people such as education, healthcare, water access, youth employment, and rural development.
“Governance is not an avenue for wasteful spending. The people of Osun deserve leadership that is transparent, prudent, and focused on delivering tangible development,” Suraju added.
HEDA further charged the Osun State House of Assembly and civil society organisations to strengthen their oversight role and ensure the protection of public interest. The organisation argued that State Governor have refused to translate increased federal allocations into tangible governance delivery but rather frivolous expenditure and diversion of public funds, and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible governance across Nigeria.
