What Seyi Makinde Told Oyo Assembly Members Today

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Friday delivered his 2025 State of the State Address, highlighting landmark achievements in infrastructure, economy, education, healthcare, and security over the past year. Speaking before the Oyo State House of Assembly, Makinde struck a confident tone, declaring that his administration was “building for impact” and laying a firm foundation for future generations.

“In the last one year, we have deepened our focus on building where there is need, investing where there is potential, and protecting what matters most,” the Governor said, referencing the administration’s four key development pillars: Economy, Education, Healthcare, and Security.

Governor Makinde announced that Oyo State had become the first African sub-national to join the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM) — a milestone linked to ongoing international collaborations to build a Rungis-style wholesale agro-food market in Ijaiye, Ibadan.

Oyo also recorded progress in its agribusiness strategy. The Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub was redesignated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Nigeria’s first Agricultural Transformation Centre, drawing global attention and a historic visit from Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio.

The Governor also flagged off the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub, a 3,000-hectare integrated site combining crop processing, livestock, warehousing, agro-tourism, and healthcare, under the AfDB-supported Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ).

In the energy sector, Makinde celebrated the commissioning of the Oyo State-Elektron Energy 11MW Independent Power Project (IPP) in December 2024. “For the first time in our 49-year history, the Oyo State Secretariat is powered 24/7,” he said, adding that surrounding communities are now benefitting from the project.

The Governor also spotlighted the ongoing upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, with the first phase slated for completion in October 2025. “This will connect our agribusiness hubs, mineral corridors, and tourism centres to the world,” Makinde affirmed.

In education, the Governor cited the completion of upgraded classroom blocks in 105 rural schools under the BESDA AF-TESS programme. He also reported the recruitment of over 14,000 teaching and non-teaching staff to address manpower shortages.

“Starting this year, we have embarked on upgrading 100 schools across the state — 36 of which are currently ongoing,” Makinde revealed.

The Governor described the Omituntun Free Health Mission as a flagship initiative delivering free medical outreach to over 18,000 people in 2025 alone.

He also announced progress in the state’s disease eradication efforts, with Ogo Oluwa, Irepo, and Ibarapa East LGAsdeclared free from onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Oyo State won national recognition for its efforts in tackling neglected tropical diseases.

The state has equipped 264 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and is currently upgrading 106 more across all LGAs. Recruitment of healthcare workers is ongoing to strengthen service delivery at both the primary and secondary levels.

Makinde announced the recruitment of 480 new Forest Rangers into the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, bringing the total to 2,500. He maintained that Oyo continues to have the “highest number and best remunerated corps members in South-West Nigeria.”

These efforts, he explained, are aimed at curbing illegal activities in forest reserves and protecting rural communities and farmers. Over 50 operational vehicles were also added to support federal security agencies.

In tourism, the Governor hailed the launch of the KAP Film Village and Resort in Igbojaiye, and promised state support through road infrastructure, electricity, and a small-aircraft airstrip.

He also invited stakeholders to the Oyo State International Tourism Summit slated for July 24, 2025, where five investment-ready tourist sites will be showcased to local and global investors.

The Governor also mentioned the resumption of water supply to parts of Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Eruwa, and commended his cabinet and MDAs for sustaining progress across sectors.

“We are not building for applause. We are building for impact,” Makinde concluded. “The world is watching. And posterity will judge that, in our time, we chose to build a legacy.”