OYO @ 50: We’re Working On New Development Blueprint That Would Guide Governance Beyond My Tenure – Makinde
•••Says We’ve Delivered About 75% Of What We Promised
•By OYENIYI AWOJOODU
IBADAN – OYO State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday defended his administration’s governance approach, insisting that merit, competence and institutional strength rather than political influence now define leadership and public service in the state.
Makinde spoke during the Day Four Lecture and Symposium of the Oyo @ 50 anniversary celebration held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan.
The symposium, themed “Consolidating the Legacy, Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future,” brought together government officials, academics, students, civil society actors and political stakeholders to reflect on the state’s development trajectory.
Addressing participants, the governor said his administration had deliberately moved away from governance driven by personal influence and replaced it with systems designed to ensure fairness, accountability and sustainability.
According to him, “We have moved away from the era where governance was about who you know or who is backing you. Today in Oyo State, merit defines leadership and opportunities. Our focus is on building a system that works for everyone.”
Makinde explained that upon assumption of office, his administration introduced a comprehensive governance roadmap to set clear development targets and make leadership performance measurable to the public.
“We introduced a roadmap so that the people of Oyo State can hold me accountable. As of today, we have delivered about 75 per cent of what we promised in that roadmap, and we are not stopping there,” he said.
The governor disclosed that the state government was already working on a new development blueprint that would guide governance beyond his tenure, noting that continuity of good policies was critical to sustainable development.
“We are working on another roadmap that will take Oyo State to 2027 and beyond. More importantly, we are putting together a roadmap that will serve Oyo State for the next 50 years. Governance must not stop because one leader leaves office,” Makinde added.
Speaking on leadership and political succession ahead of the 2027 elections, Makinde warned political aspirants against taking the people of the state for granted, stressing that the political consciousness of residents has significantly evolved.
“Those who want to contest should calm down and not take Oyo people for granted. The people are more aware now. They are looking at competence, capacity and what you can actually deliver,” he said.
The governor maintained that the foundation of his administration’s governance philosophy was the strengthening of institutions rather than empowering individuals, noting that strong institutions guarantee stability and continuity in governance.
“We are building strong institutions, not strong individuals. We need leaders who can take decisions and stand by them. That is how development becomes sustainable,” Makinde said.
Give. Makinde added that Oyo State was gradually setting a governance template that prioritises service delivery, transparency and citizen-focused development over political patronage.
While delivering his lecture themed “Consolidating Past Legacies, Managing the Present, and Envisioning the Future” Professor Olu Ajakaye, commended Governor Makinde’s administration for its achievements in reviving planning, avoiding project abandonment, and maintaining public service.
According to Professor Ajakaye, the Governor arrived in office with a clear roadmap for development, inspired by historical Western Regional programs, adding that the vision has evolved into a sustainable development plan, yielding significant results.
The guest lecturer said in order to guarantee progress, ensuring that future administrations build on foundation laid, Planning process, State of the State address, and other initiatives should be codify into law in the state.
He said by consolidating the legacies of the past, navigating the present, and reimagining the future, with a clear vision, effective planning, and cooperation, Oyo State can become a model for development in Nigeria.
Highlight of the event, include imitating of past governors, panel discussion where people of the state were advised on Omoluabi ethos, regional integration and human capital empowerment to have a brighter future.