The Lagos State Ministry of Establishments and Training has announced the commencement of the 2027 Personnel Budget Bilateral Discussions, scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline and improve transparency in public expenditure.
According to the Ministry, the exercise is aimed at producing a more accurate, data-driven personnel budget that aligns with the state’s T.H.E.M.E.S+ development agenda.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Olubusola Abidakun, stated that the government is moving away from “ghost projections” and unrealistic staffing estimates, urging Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to present verified staff data that reflects actual workforce realities, including retirements, exits, and approved recruitments.
She emphasized that all MDAs must submit precise, evidence-based personnel figures to ensure budget credibility and prevent inflation of wage-related costs.
Dr. Abidakun also noted that the exercise will involve strict scrutiny of staff placement to ensure that personnel costs align correctly with grade levels and professional cadres. She added that capacity-building expenditures must shift from routine training to more strategic and impactful programmes that support the state’s digital transformation agenda.
Reaffirming the government’s fiscal priorities, she said personnel budgeting must remain inclusive under the “Plus” pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda, while still maintaining discipline to prevent over-bloated wage bills that could limit funding for capital projects.
Permanent Secretaries were directed to personally lead their MDAs during the virtual bilateral sessions, warning that agencies that fail to comply with leadership requirements may not be attended to. At the conclusion of the process, a signed verification “sign-off page” must accompany budget submissions in hard copy.
Dr. Abidakun described the exercise as essential for building a “realistic, defensible, and prosperity-driven” budget for Lagos State, expressing optimism about full compliance and cooperation from all MDAs.
