A BILL FOR A LAW TO ENSURE GENDER RESPONSIVE BUDGETING IN OYO STATE EDUCATION SECTOR AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE 20% UNESCO BENCHMARK, TRANSPARENT PLANNING, AND EFFECTIVE MONITORING; AND FOR OTHER CONNECTED PURPOSES.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM:

This Bill seeks to address low enrollment and retention of girls in Oyo State by mandating gender responsive budgeting in education. With the 2026 budget at N892bn and Education at N147.2bn (16.5%), Oyo State is below UNESCO 20% requirement. The highest portion goes to gender-blind projects that ignore barriers faced by girls.

SECTION I - PRELIMINARY;

1. Short Title: This Law may be cited as the Oyo State Gender Responsive Education Budget Law, 2026.

2. Definitions:

- Gender Targeted Budget: Budget explicitly for girls/women e.g. girls scholarship, sanitary pads, re-entry for pregnant girls.

- Gender Sensitive Budget: Budget for all but designed to address girl's barriers e.g. separate toilets with locks, water, safe schools, GBV prevention.

-Gender Blind Budget: General budget without gender analysis e.g. classroom blocks, general maintenance.

SECTION II - PLANNING AND PRIORITIZATION;

3. Mandatory Gender Analysis in 10 Education Zones: The Ministry of Education through the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics shall ensure:

(a) Town Hall meetings in all 10 zones include 50% women, girls, CSOs, traditional and religious leaders.

(b) Circular letters for budget calls must include a Gender Checklist.

(c) Data on out-of-school girls per zone must guide budget planning.

4. Prioritization Framework: In line with 2026 priority of recruiting more female teachers, the Ministry shall prioritize:

(a) Recruitment of female teachers at a ratio of at least 60:40 in rural zones

(b) Allocation of not less than 30% of education capital budget to Gender Targeted and Gender Sensitive lines

SECTION III - BUDGET BENCHMARK AND ALLOCATION;

5. Minimum Education Allocation: Oyo State shall progressively attain and maintain not less than 20% of total annual budget for education, in compliance with UNESCO standard, by 2028 fiscal year.

6. Earmarked Percentages:

(a) Gender Targeted: Minimum of 15% of education budget for girls scholarship, sanitary provision, re-entry support for adolescent mothers.

(b) Gender Sensitive: Minimum of 25% for WASH, separate toilets, safe schools, GBV reporting mechanisms, female teachers accommodation.

(c) Gender Blind expenditure must be audited for gender impact before approval.

SECTION IV - IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING;

7. Monitoring: The State Auditor (Internal & External) and Project Performance Monitoring Agency (PPMA) shall:

(a) Publish quarterly gender budget performance report.

(b) Ensure no school project is approved without gender-sensitive design.

8. Citizens Tracking: NGOs, CSOs and Education Bureau shall be recognized as co-monitors and have access to budget implementation data per zone.

9. Sanction: Any MDA that fails to implement gender responsive lines shall have next quarter release withheld pending compliance.

10. Commencement: This Law comes into effect from 2027 fiscal year.