Akure — Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that his administration accomplished a reduction of domestic debt by an unprecedented 82.6 per cent within one year by implementing sweeping cost-control measures.

Aiyedatiwa said he achieved the feat without halting public services or sacrificing workers' welfare.

Data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) on states' debt comparison between 2023 and 2024 showed Ondo State at the top in reducing domestic debt from N74 Billion in 2023 to N12 Billion in 2024, a difference of N61 Billion and a percentage of 82.6.

Aiyedatiwa said the reduction was not merely statistic but a reflection of deliberate policy choices, strong leadership, and responsible governance.

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Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa, said the development has made significant improvements on the economy of the state and restored in his administration.

"This outstanding achievement is attributed to the strategic economic reforms and financial prudence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's administration since its inception.

"Since coming into office in December 2023, Governor Aiyedatiwa has made a top priority payment of the backlog of salaries, gratuities and contractual obligations owed by the state government.

"In the first quarter of 2024 alone, Ondo State recorded a 77 percent domestic debt reduction, amounting to N55.11 billion. The state's debt profile dropped from N71.5 billion in December 2023 to just N16.4 billion by March 2024. This feat placed Ondo second only to Jigawa State in terms of domestic debt reduction during the period under review.

"With this achievement, Ondo State stands out as a model for fiscal discipline, financial resilience, and strategic planning in Nigeria's public sector."