Engr. Seyi Makinde, Executive governor of Oyo State is bent on actualizing the dreams of the founders of the state. MYKE UZENDU in this piece examines some of the indelible imprints of Makinde and his deliberate effort to transform Oyo into a truly pace setter state.
Governor Seyi Makinde, elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been at the forefront of redefining governance and development in Oyo State. His administration focused on improving infrastructure, education, and governance, drawing inspiration from the visionary leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the former Premier of the Western Region. His efforts translated into tangible improvements in the lives of Oyo State residents, as the state now wears a fresh, progressive look.
Governor Makinde’s vision of governance aligns with that of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose transformative policies left an indelible mark on the Western Region. Awolowo’s commitment to free education, healthcare, and infrastructure development transformed the region into a hub of progress and innovation. Makinde, through his policies, seeks to revive these legacies, focusing on building human capital, improving social services, and expanding infrastructure.
The governor stressed that he would like to be remembered for bringing disruptive infrastructural development and economic renewal into the state.
“We want to be remembered, not for roads, we expanded the airport, we built the local government, we constructed roads, we want to be remembered for the institutions that we’re trying to build such that good governance, irrespective of who is coming in and we are succeeding”.
Speaking with some journalists who were on project inspection in the ancient city of Ibadan on how the state has sharply deviated from the dreams of the founding fathers, Makinde said,
“I’m glad that you’ve been able to go to a few of our project sites. Where you are right now is Fashola Agribusines hub, it is a farm estate.
“It was an idea conceptualized during, Chief Awolowo time as a premier of western region. Here they were breeding cattles, the mother cattles, the breeders that you would now take somewhere else to breed, sell and eat, But Nigeria happened to this place, they ate the breeder and the mothers, they ate everything.
“Where you are is the space is for agro-tourism. Less than 500 meters from here, you have a building in there. We are refurbishing all of that so that we can tell our story. That was how they built Cocoa house from efforts like this. It was the first skyscraper south of Sahara. After that first one, we’ve not been able to build a second one.
“If you go to Israel, Tel Aviv, I saw their first skyscraper, it was built six years after Cocoa House, but, if you go around Tel Aviv today, they have almost 2,000 other skyscrapers in there and we have not even built a second one.
“So, it’s just an opportunity to show you that a long time ago, thinkers passed through this place, they did certain things and for us, we want to bring some of these things back and see how we can utilize it to make life a little better for our people”.
The governor said that no one gave him a chance when he declared his intention to become a governor having failed twice to become a Senator.
“Nobody sponsored me. Nobody gave me a dime to get in here. But the people of Oyo state decided that they want to give this opportunity to an outsider.
“Before that time, somw people said Seyi, what has he done before? Has he been a counselor? no. Has he been to the State House of Assembly? no. Has he been to House of Reps? no. How about Senate? I tried twice. I was rejected.
“No experience in politics, no experience in governance, but I have done well for myself in business and before that time, the entire Southwest was APC. The entire Southwest, all the six states. But Oyo State said, no, we dare to be different. And because I didn’t have no experience, I wanted to convince the people.
“So we produced a document, “Roadmap to Accelerate Development of Oyo State 2019 to 2023”. And I said to the people, look, this is my black and white, hold me accountable to this. And they gave us the opportunity and we saw it as a lifetime opportunity to change the narrative”.
One of Governor Makinde’s most significant strides is the rehabilitation of both state and federal roads within Oyo State. By repairing dilapidated federal roads, he enhanced the movement of goods and people across the state, boosting economic activities. Roads that were once impassable due to years of neglect became functional, contributing to an efficient transport network that supports the state’s growing industries and trade.
“We don’t care about whether it’s a federal road or a state road or a local government road, all we want is, we want to expand our economy and we also want our people to pass on a smooth road.
“We are not waiting for federal government, we know that how to fix this country is to be productive. It is not about federal allocation, it is not about us going cap in hand every four weeks to Abuja to say, give us money. No, we want to be productive.
“The people that started this whole thing, they never went anywhere. They were generating their own resources here and had enough” he said.
Makinde’s administration paid considerable attention to revamping the educational sector in Oyo State. Following the footsteps of Chief Awolowo, who pioneered free education in the Western Region, Makinde rehabilitated numerous schools, modernized infrastructure, and invested in teacher training. His free education policy reduced the financial burden on parents and increased school enrollment rates.
In addition to renovating primary and secondary schools, Governor Makinde launched new initiatives to improve the quality of education in the state. His government provided learning materials, furniture, and better facilities in public schools, ensuring that students receive quality education in a conducive environment. These interventions positioned Oyo State as a leader in educational reforms within the region, continuing Awolowo’s legacy of prioritizing education as a driver of social and economic development.
Moreover, the governor introduced reforms aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in governance. His administration is characterized by open budget processes and public access to government information, ensuring accountability. This shift in governance restored public trust in leadership and encouraged citizens to actively participate in the decision-making processes of the state.
The governor also established an anti-graft agency to ensure that corrupt practices are checked and offenders prosecuted.
“We also set up our own anti-corruption agency. We set up our rule of law enforcement authority” he said.
Today, Oyo State stands as a beacon of development in southwestern Nigeria. The state’s landscape has dramatically transformed, with better roads, rehabilitated schools, and modern administrative buildings. Citizens enjoy improved access to social services, a more transparent government, and the benefits of a strong economy bolstered by agricultural and industrial growth.
Makinde’s approach to governance fostered inclusivity, ensuring that rural and urban communities alike benefit from his administration’s policies. Farmers, traders, civil servants, and students all feel the positive impact of the state’s ongoing transformation. The governor’s strides in revitalizing the state’s infrastructure, education, and governance have not only enhanced the quality of life for its citizens but also attracted investors and business opportunities, further propelling Oyo State into an era of sustained growth.
LIST OF MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE
Infrastructure
1.) 76km Alao-Akala Highway connecting Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso
2.) 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Ibadan Road
2.) Ongoing construction of 110km Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road
3.) 34.8km Oyo-Iseyin Road
4.) 12.5km Theophilus Akinyele Road connecting Alao-Akala Express-Benbo-Jankata-Apata Road
5.) 7.8km Old Ife-Alakia-Airport Road-Onipepeye Underpass with spur to Adegbayi Junction
6.) 38.48km Feeder Roads in Ibadan including Challenge-Ring Road-110 Roundabout, Beere-Molete Road, Tribune-Ososami Road, Iyaganku-NUJ Press Centre-Ring Road, Oke Adu-Aremo-Orita Aperin, Idi Arere-Popoyemoja-Oke Ado Road
7.) Agodi Gate-Civic Centre-Basorun-Iwo Road Junction Improvements.
8.) Ongoing upgrading of Ibadan Airport to an international airport, including the construction of 500,000 Litres Aviation Fuel Storage and Dispensing Facility
10.) Ongoing 11 Megawatts Independent Power Project, Secretariat, Ibadan
11.) Construction of ultramodern Local Government Service Commission Complex, Secretariat
13.) Construction of Bus Terminals. To be visited: (Ongoing Iwo Road Bus Terminal and Ojoo Bus Terminal)
Education
14.) Sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso
15.) Construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin
16.) Upgrading of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a University of Education
17.) Construction of over 70 Model Schools across the state
18.) Ongoing renovation of 105 public primary schools across the state
Agribusiness
19.) Construction of Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub, Fasola, Oyo with more than international agribusiness companies already subscribed
20.) Construction of Farmers’ Market, Akinyele Local Government, Ibadan
Health
21.) Renovation and equipment of 264 Primary Health Centres across the state. To be visited (Idi Ogungun PHC, Agodi Gate, Iwo Road PHC).
22.) Renovation and equipment of General Hospitals across the state. To be visited: (Aremo General Hospital, Ibadan).
Security
23.) Setting up of Oyo City Watch and Crime Alert Platform and activation of Citizen Emergency Number, 615
24.) Distribution of security vehicles to all security agencies in Oyo State
Housing
25.) Lere Adigun Housing Estate, Basorun, Ibadan
