Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” – Warren Bennis
When Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) assumed office as the Governor of Ekiti State, he promised not just governance, but transformation—anchored on six strategic actionable pillars. Today, barely into his third year, his administration has delivered on those promises across all sectors, ensuring inclusive growth and quality service delivery to the people of Ekiti State; from youth development to infrastructural expansion, BAO’s exemplary leadership has placed Ekiti on a strong developmental trajectory.
Below is an in-depth look at each of the six strategic actionable pillars and how they are shaping a new narrative for Ekiti:
Youth development & job creation
Recognizing the potential of Ekiti’s vibrant youth population, Governor Oyebanji launched a multi-layered agenda to empower and equip them:
– Ekiti State Youth Policy (2024–2028) was unveiled to guide youth empowerment and governance participation.
– The government launched an MSME/ICT Hub backed by a ₦223.8 million fund, fostering digital entrepreneurship.
– Over 922 MSMEs received direct grants, and CAC registration support was provided for 5,400 enterprises.
– Access to finance was broadened with a ₦1 billion cooperative fund and another ₦1 billion in partnership with Access Bank and USADF for women-led groups and youth cooperatives.
– About 5000 Youths have been engaged to bring back youths into the Agric program in synergy with YSJ Farms.
These initiatives have positioned Ekiti’s youth not as dependents, but as drivers of innovation and economic growth, contributing massively to food security in Ekiti State.
Human capital development
A cornerstone of sustainable development, the administration made decisive investments in education and healthcare:
– Over 2,000 new teachers were recruited, with sign-language interpreters added to promote inclusive education. And another recruitment process to recruit teaching and non-teaching staff is ongoing.
– N14 billion was invested in renovating 203 public secondary schools. Running grants, instructional materials, and WAEC/NECO fees totalling ₦1.2 billion were fully covered by the state.
– In health, the administration harmonized salary structures with federal standards and restored hazard allowances.
– Eleven health facilities were upgraded with a state-of-the-art facility, and the Ulerawa health insurance scheme now covers over 50,000 rural beneficiaries.
– Different capacity development training programmes have been put together to up the skills of the civil servants in the State.
– These actions have significantly raised education and health outcomes, ensuring equitable access to quality services.
Agriculture & rural development
Understanding the link between food security, poverty reduction, and rural prosperity, the BAO administration prioritized this sector:
– 43.4 km of rural roads were reconstructed across six LGAs, while the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing (RAAMP) is currently constructing new farm access roads across the State.
– Farmers benefited from subsidized seedlings and equipment, including a 50% reduction in seed prices and 25% tractor-use subsidy.
– A model cashew scion farm was established in collaboration with USDA’s Pro‑Cashew Project.
– Support reached 2,279 farmers through input distribution, and 1,566 small-scale farms received poultry and farm support kits.
– About 4,500 ha of land have been cleared so far for cooperatives/communities/farmers’ charge across the State, ensuring farmers do not spend on opening up the arable lands.
– Land Tractorization is 50% subsidized also in Ekiti State
– About 150 youths are involved in Broiler Production under the Ekiti Broiler Production Scheme (EBOPS) and have raised more than 100,000 birds so far.
The administration’s efforts have enhanced food productivity, enabled access to markets, and invigorated rural economies.
Infrastructure & industrialization
Governor Oyebanji’s administration has taken bold steps to bridge infrastructure gaps and industrialize Ekiti:
– Commissioned a 3.5 MW Independent Power Plant to address power deficits, energizing Ayekire/Gbonyin and Ekiti East LGAs for the first time in over a decade.
– About 36 roads projects are either completed or on-going gulping up to N130 billion. For instance, roads like Ado/Ilawe, Omisanjana, NTA/GRA, and parts of Ado Township were rehabilitated, while work on the Ado Flyover and Ring Road continues.
– Initiated construction/rehabilitation of 36 roads since inception – 17 completed, 19 ongoing road projects at the moment.
– Solar street lights were installed across the capital, and massive drainage desilting exercises have curbed flooding.
– Under the community impact projects, almost all communities are having one project or another ongoing. If it’s not a palace renovation, it is a community town hall renovation, borehole planting, community roads opening amongst other projects.
– Free distribution of transformers to communities in need of such to boost electricity.
– Connection of institutions to the IPP for stable 24/7 electricity (Ekiti State Government Secretariat, Governor’s office, EKSUTH, EKTV, EKSU, BSES, etc
– Ekiti International Cargo Airport completed and ready for non-scheduled flight. Likely, in December 2025, the airport will commence scheduled flights.
These infrastructural upgrades are improving mobility, connectivity, economic emancipation and wellness in the trajectory towards the “shared prosperity” mantra of the BAO administration.
Arts, culture & tourism
The state’s rich cultural heritage and natural attractions are now being harnessed for tourism and economic diversification:
– Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort has been repositioned through a public-private partnership to boost tourism.
– The administration launched the International Arts and Cultural Centre (construction, on-going as we speak), and is developing an Indoor Sports Complex to nurture talents.
– The Kayode Oluyemi Stadium is receiving a befitting facelift to enhance the capacity and preparedness of our sports men and women.
– Sacred sites like Oke Igeti are being promoted for religious tourism, boosting spiritual and cultural identity.
– Remodelling of Fajuyi Park to an Intentional tourist site has been approved by Exco recently.
These efforts not only preserve heritage but also open Ekiti to the global tourism economy.
Good governance
At the heart of the BAO’s administration is an unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement:
– The introduction of the Ekiti Dashboard/Strategic Pillar Monitoring System (SPMS) marks a new era of data-driven governance and public accountability. The dashboard now has more than 600 different projects that have been embarked upon by this government (spms.ek.gov.ng). Some of these projects have been completed while others are at various stages of completion.
– Regular Stakeholders’ Engagements and Community Communication Bureau initiatives deepening participatory governance.
– Fiscal transparency is at an all-time high: Ekiti was ranked 97% compliant in BudgIT’s 2024 Fiscal Transparency Report.
– Six key laws were enacted, including the Ekiti Wealth Fund, Rural Roads Authority, Fire Service Law, and local government reforms.
– Payment of all leave bonuses owed workers from past administrations.
– Massive payment of gratuity and pension. Since assuming office, the Governor of Ekiti has paid N7.4 billion gratuity; paid about N24.1 billion pension; paid over N710 million on the employer’s Contributory Pension Scheme and N4.4 billion as gratuity to Local Government retirees. These figures show a massive commitment to the welfare of the people. It is unprecedented in the history of Ekiti State attesting to the gracious and generous heart of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO).
– Workers’ welfare including one of the first States in the federation to implement the minimum wage packages. Ekiti’s disaggregation of the wages of public servants, including pensioners, has been adjudged to be one of the best among the sub nationals in the country.
In conclusion, one can surmise that such systemic reforms ensure that quality service delivery is not episodic but institutionalized in Ekiti. In essence, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s (BAO) leadership has proven that good governance is achievable when rooted in people-first policies, vision, and strategic execution. Through these six strategic pillars, the State has not only witnessed infrastructural and economic transformation but has also laid the foundation for enduring development in the trajectory towards the “shared prosperity” mantra. All said and done, Ekiti is not on autopilot—it is being purposefully steered toward greatness.
•Ekundayo, Special Adviser/Director General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD); Fatunla, Special Assistant, Service Delivery (OTSD).
