Oyo Head Of Service Charges Civil/Public Servants to Prepare for 2026 Confirmation, Promotion, Advancement (CONPROA) Examination

The Oyo State Head of Service, Dr. Adenike Fasina, mni, has urged Civil/Public Servants across the state to prepare adequately and cooperate with relevant stakeholders for the successful conduct of the (CONPROA)  Examination.

Dr. Fasina gave this charge during a critical stakeholders engagement and facility tour of designated examination centres across the state as part of preparations for the 2026 examination.

The Head of Service who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strategy, Mr. Taiwo Niran Mustapha explained that the stakeholders committee was constituted in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 6 of the 2013 Public Service Rules, Volumes 1 and 2. 

She noted that the committee had carefully reviewed reports received from various zones and identified some grey areas requiring attention.

She said the engagement was aimed at bringing all stakeholders on the same page regarding the processes and procedures to be followed before, during and after the examination.

She said "this engagement would provide an opportunity to address identified challenges, clarify areas of uncertainty and establish a common understanding of the responsibilities of all stakeholders towards ensuring a smooth, credible and successful examination exercise".

Dr. Fasina also disclosed that participants would be introduced to a new application developed for the registration process, with a practical demonstration of its operation.

 She explained that the innovation was designed to enhance efficiency, minimise errors and promote greater accountability throughout the registration process.

She therefore urged the stakeholders to pay close attention to the practical presentations and discussions, as well as seek clarification on areas requiring further explanation.

The Head of Service warned stakeholders against examination malpractice, stressing that such acts could tarnish their image and that of the public service.

She reminded the coordinators that leadership was not merely about occupying a position, but about effectively discharging the responsibilities entrusted to them in their respective areas.

Dr. Fasina emphasised the importance of the Compulsory Papers Examination to Civil/Public Servants, noting that it forms an important part of their promotion, confirmation and career advancement.

She expressed confidence that the collective commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders would contribute to a successful and credible examination,

as part of the preparatory activities, the team inspected designated examination centres, including Queen’s School, Government College, Ibadan, and Obaseku High School, Eruwa.

Abiodun Atilola 

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS 

September 9, 2026.

AMOTEKUN, NDLEA Forge Alliance to End Drug Abuse in Oyo

The Oyo State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps (OYSSNA) has forged a stronger partnership with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle drug abuse and its associated security challenges across communities in the state.

The collaboration was strengthened during a one-day sensitisation programme organised by the NDLEA for Amotekun operatives, focusing on drug abuse prevention, identification of substance-related risks, healthy coping strategies, responsible conduct and community-based approaches to promoting drug-free communities.

In his welcome address, the Oyo State Commandant, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd.), represented by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs. Adigun Yetunde, appreciated the NDLEA for the initiative and collaboration.

The Commandant stressed the importance of continuous training and capacity building for Amotekun personnel, particularly in areas that directly affect community safety.

He noted that a better understanding of substance abuse would enable officers to recognise emerging risks, respond appropriately and contribute more effectively to drug abuse prevention efforts within their areas of operation.

Olayanju further urged the personnel to apply the knowledge gained from the sensitisation programme in their daily duties, particularly through responsible observation, information gathering and collaboration with relevant agencies.

He said a professional and community-oriented approach would strengthen public confidence and enhance collective efforts to build safer and drug-free communities.

Also speaking, the Staff Officer, Drug Integrity Test, NDLEA Oyo State Command, Superintendent of Narcotics O. A. Achichi, thanked the management of Amotekun for supporting the programme.

Achichi emphasised that the fight against drug abuse requires a collective effort involving security agencies, families, schools, community leaders and other stakeholders.

He said Amotekun's close relationship with communities places its personnel in a strategic position to identify emerging drug-related concerns and provide relevant information to appropriate authorities.

He urged the operatives to maintain professionalism when dealing with suspected drug-related cases, stressing that suspicion should not be treated as proof.

According to him, personnel should observe, verify and properly document relevant information before referring cases requiring specialised drug law enforcement attention to the NDLEA or other competent agencies.

During the technical session, the NDLEA Staff Officer, Prevention and Sensitisation, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Peter Akinbode, explained that drug abuse could negatively affect individuals, families, youths and community security.

He identified peer influence, curiosity, stress, trauma, unemployment, social pressure, emotional pain and easy access to drugs among factors that could encourage substance use.

Akinbode urged Amotekun personnel to avoid judging or labelling suspected drug users, stressing the importance of observing, documenting, verifying information and referring drug-related cases to competent agencies.

He also introduced the S.A.F.E.R. response model—See, Assess, Facilitate Safety, Escalate Appropriately, Record and Refer as a guide for professional response to drug-related situations.

Nigeria Governors' Forum ,Oyo Govt move to domesticate Women Economic Empowerment Policy

 

The Oyo State Government has commenced moves to domesticate the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, with a view to institutionalising the inclusion of women in government policies, programmes, budgeting and economic opportunities across the state.

The initiative, being implemented by the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), is aimed at strengthening women’s participation in key sectors of the state’s economy and ensuring that government interventions adequately respond to their needs.

The five-day exercise, themed “Domestication of Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy,” commenced on Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The NGF delegation to the exercise is led by Prof. Olabisi Aina,a professor of sociology and specialist in gender development .

The first two days of the exercise are focused on Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and engagements with Commissioners, Directors and other critical stakeholders across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to assess the extent to which women are currently reflected in government policies, programmes and interventions.

The exercise will continue from September 9 to 11 with a three-day technical session at the Ibadan Business School, Old Bodija, Ibadan, where stakeholders will deliberate on the findings, review the policy document and validate recommendations towards its domestication in Oyo State.

Speaking during the exercise, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Joke Fausat Saani, said the domestication of the policy would take women’s economic empowerment beyond the traditional activities of the Ministry and make it a shared responsibility of all MDAs.

She explained that the policy would ensure that women’s interests were mainstreamed into government planning, budgeting and programmes across critical sectors, including agriculture, education, employment and solid minerals.

According to her, government interventions must deliberately take women into consideration as beneficiaries, particularly in agricultural programmes involving the distribution of seedlings, fertilisers and other inputs.

The Commissioner also stressed the importance of including women living with disabilities and other persons with special needs in government programmes and empowerment initiatives.

She described the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion as the coordinating and monitoring institution for the policy, with the responsibility of ensuring that MDAs fulfil their commitments towards advancing women’s economic empowerment.

Alhaja Saani said the initiative represented a significant departure from a situation where the Ministry had to continually appeal to other MDAs to include women in their programmes.

«“We are tired of pleading. This policy is no longer about pleading; it is about changing the architecture of governance,” she said.»

She noted that the policy would also require government budgets and programmes to be examined from a gender perspective, stressing the need to determine how public expenditure translated into tangible benefits for women.

The Commissioner added that the policy would create opportunities for women to move beyond micro-enterprises and gain greater access to capital, resources and economic opportunities in sectors traditionally dominated by men.

She expressed confidence that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, would provide the political will required to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.

Also speaking, the leader of the NGF delegation, Prof. Olabisi Aina, said the exercise was aimed at changing the architecture of governance by ensuring that women’s economic empowerment was integrated into the operations of government.

Aina explained that the policy was not designed to create another programme for the Ministry of Women Affairs alone, but to make the inclusion of women a collective responsibility of all MDAs.

She said every ministry should be able to demonstrate how women would benefit from its policies, programmes and budgets, irrespective of the sector.

According to her, ministries responsible for agriculture, recruitment, education, solid minerals and other sectors must deliberately consider women in their activities and ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources.

She described the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion as the “police” of the policy, responsible for monitoring implementation and ensuring that other MDAs fulfil their obligations, while the various MDAs would serve as the “accelerators” for achieving its objectives.

Aina urged stakeholders to approach the technical sessions with an open mind, noting that the process was rigorous because it was aimed at achieving a fundamental change in the way government policies and programmes were designed and implemented.

She emphasised that a successful society must deliberately consider women in its development agenda, adding that the WEE Policy would provide a framework for ensuring that women’s economic interests were reflected in government planning, budgeting and implementation.

The exercise is expected to culminate in a stakeholders’ workshop and validation of the findings before the policy is finalised and domesticated in Oyo State.

The domestication of the policy is expected to provide a sustainable framework for advancing women’s economic empowerment while strengthening their access to opportunities, resources and decision-making spaces across the state.

Present at the exercise were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Oluyinka Shotonwa-Roagess, and other members of the ministry’s management team.

Gov. Makinde Approves 32-Seater, 18-Seater Buses for Shooting Stars

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has approved the immediate release of two buses, a 32-seater and an 18-seater, to Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan to support the club’s activities.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, he said the gesture came on the heels of Shooting Stars’ impressive victory over CS Sfaxien of Tunisia in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie played at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta

According to him, the approval underscores the state government’s commitment to supporting the Oluyole Warriors as they represent Oyo State on the continental stage.

Shooting Stars’ participation in the current continental competition marks the club’s first appearance in a continental competition in 27 years.

Prince Oyelade said Governor Makinde had assured the club’s supporters and fans that the state government would continue to provide the necessary support to enable Shooting Stars remain in contention for continental honours.

He said the government is determined not only to sustain the club’s current momentum but also to restore the old glory of the “Darling Club of Oyo State.”

The Commissioner urged the players, technical crew and management of Shooting Stars to remain focused and committed, assuring them of the continued support of the state government.

Oyo 2027: Orioke Liberation Movement Rallies Support for Remi Oseni

The Orioke Liberation Movement, comprising residents and fellow citizens of Ward 9 in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, under the leadership of Hon. Shola Orioke, has rallied support for the senatorial ambition of the member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking on Sunday at the group's weekly meeting, the Coordinator of the movement, Hon. Shola Orioke, called on residents and political stakeholders across the Oyo South Senatorial District to support Oseni, describing him as a committed, grassroots-oriented leader with the capacity to provide effective representation at the Senate.

Orioke, while expressing confidence in the lawmaker's leadership qualities, said Oseni's track record of service and contributions to the development of his constituency had distinguished him as a suitable candidate for the Oyo South Senatorial seat.

According to him, Oseni's ambition represents an opportunity to extend quality representation and people-oriented development to other parts of the senatorial district.

The group therefore appealed to political leaders, community stakeholders, youths and other residents of Oyo South to rally behind the lawmaker in his bid to represent the district at the National Assembly.

The Orioke Liberation Movement maintained that the 2027 election would provide the people with another opportunity to elect leaders based on their track records, capacity and commitment to the development of the people.

The Coordinator urged members and supporters across the district to remain united and work towards ensuring the success of Oseni's senatorial ambition.

Joining the movement, Alhaji Jaji Olalekan described Hon. Oseni as a promise keeper who has done a lot for the people of his constituency and beyond.

He said Oseni remained the best candidate for the job, urging the people of Oyo South Senatorial District to vote massively for him during the 2027 general election.

Also speaking, Hon. Chukwudi Ezeala pledged that members of the Igbo community within the constituency would support Oseni's ambition.

Ezeala called on members of the community and other residents of the senatorial district to come out en masse to cast their votes for whom he described as a promise-keeping and God-fearing politician who “walks the talk.”

Hon. Aderemi Oseni, who currently represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in 2027, stating that his aspiration is aimed at expanding his service and developmental interventions across the district.

The movement expressed optimism that, with the support of the people and stakeholders across Oyo South, Oseni would emerge successful in his quest to represent the district at the Senate in 2027.

Makinde: The Aare of liveability

By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

Last Saturday in Ibarapaland, the air carried the kind of solemn electricity reserved for moments that bend history. As the traditional rulers gathered; robes flowing, drums rumbling softly beneath the breath of the hills, they conferred the titles Aare Asoludero and Yeye Aare Asoludero on Governor Seyi Makinde and his wife, Engr. (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde. It was more than a ceremony; it was a proclamation. 

In Yoruba cosmology, chieftaincy titles are never ornamental decorations. They are earned through service that steadies a people, sacrifice that strengthens a land, and impact that reshapes daily life. By honouring Makinde, the custodians of Ibarapa’s heritage declared him a stabiliser, a builder, and a guardian of communal welfare. And what made the moment thunder with deeper meaning was its perfect alignment with modern evidence: the 2025 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index (pSPI), which ranked Oyo State as the most liveable in Nigeria. Tradition spoke. Data echoed. Together, they affirmed a single truth.

The convergence of these two recognitions, one rooted in tradition, the other grounded in empirical analysis, tells a compelling story about Oyo State’s transformation under Makinde’s leadership. It is a story of deliberate policy choices, sustained investment in human and physical infrastructure, and a governance philosophy that places people at the centre of development.

Historically, the title Aare Asoludero is associated with peacebuilding, protection, and societal stability. By conferring it on Makinde, the traditional rulers of Ibarapaland highlighted his contributions to security, intercommunity harmony, and infrastructural development. Ibarapa, once beset by farmer–herder tensions and banditry, has witnessed notable improvements in stability over the past five years. Makinde’s administration strengthened local security through the Amotekun Corps, improved intelligence coordination, and invested in communitylevel peacebuilding initiatives.

But the honour extended beyond security. It also recognised Makinde’s developmental footprint in Ibarapaland, from rehabilitating inner roads in Eruwa to the ongoing construction of the Ido–Eruwa road, a project poised to unlock economic opportunities for farmers, traders, and transporters. Traditional rulers described him as a “foremost achiever and humanist,” underscoring the humancentred nature of his governance.

While traditional institutions speak for lived community experiences, the Phillips Consulting pSPI speaks for measurable outcomes. The 2025 report assessed states using hard data and perception surveys from nearly 10,000 Nigerians. Oyo State emerged as the most liveable in the country, outperforming others in infrastructure quality, safety, environmental cleanliness, governance, and service delivery.

The alignment between the pSPI findings and the basis of Makinde’s chieftaincy title is unmistakable. Both point to the same underlying reality: Oyo State has become a more functional, stable, and citizenfriendly environment under Makinde’s stewardship.

One of the most visible aspects of Makinde’s governance is his aggressive investment in infrastructure. Roads, the arteries of economic activity, have received unprecedented attention. The administration has completed or initiated scores of road projects across the state, connecting rural communities to markets, improving mobility, and reducing travel time.

In Ibarapaland, the Ido–Eruwa road stands out as a transformative project. Long a symbol of neglect, it had hampered trade and isolated communities. Its reconstruction has already begun to stimulate economic activity, with farmers reporting easier access to markets and transporters experiencing reduced vehicle wear and tear.

Beyond roads, Makinde’s administration has upgraded the Ibadan Airport, built modern bus terminals, expanded street lighting, improved drainage systems, and executed urban renewal projects. These interventions have enhanced the aesthetic and functional quality of urban centres like Ibadan, Ogbomoso, and Oyo, contributing to the state’s strong pSPI infrastructure ranking.

A state cannot be liveable if its healthcare system is weak. Recognising this, Makinde embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of primary healthcare. About 300 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) were renovated, equipped with modern facilities, and staffed with nearly 4,000 newly recruited health workers.

This intervention has improved access to healthcare for both rural and urban residents. In Ibarapaland, communities that once travelled long distances for basic medical care now have functional PHCs within reach. These improvements significantly boosted Oyo’s performance in the pSPI’s health and social services indicators.

Makinde’s education reforms have been equally impactful. His administration constructed over 100 model schools, built more than 400 new classroom blocks, and recruited about 20,000 teachers to address staffing gaps. School fees in public primary and secondary schools were abolished, reducing financial burdens and increasing enrolment.

Tertiary institutions have also benefited. Oyo State became the sole owner of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and expanded it into a multicampus institution with the establishment of the College of Agriculture and Renewable Resources in Iseyin. The Emmanuel Alayande College of Education was upgraded to a university, further strengthening the state’s highereducation landscape.

These interventions have improved learning outcomes, reduced overcrowding, and enhanced overall education quality, reflected in Oyo’s strong pSPI education scores.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Makinde’s governance is his fiscal discipline. Oyo State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) grew from ₦15 billion annually before 2019 to over ₦65 billion in 2024. This growth was achieved not through punitive taxation but through improved tax collection efficiency, expansion of the tax net, and economic stimulation driven by infrastructure investment.

The increased revenue has enabled the state to fund capital projects, pay salaries promptly, and maintain financial stability. The pSPI recognised Oyo’s strong fiscal performance, noting its prudent financial management and sustainable budgeting practices.

Safety is a core component of liveability, and Oyo’s improved security environment was a major factor in its pSPI ranking. Under Makinde’s leadership, the establishment and strengthening of the Amotekun Corps, reinforced by sustained collaboration with federal security agencies and deliberate support for local hunters and vigilante groups, created a communitybased security architecture that has proven effective in deterring crime, improving intelligence gathering, and responding swiftly to local threats. This integrated, multilayered approach has restored confidence across communities and reinforced the stability that underpins Oyo State’s rising liveability profile.

In Ibarapaland, where insecurity once threatened livelihoods, residents now report greater confidence in their safety. The traditional rulers’ decision to honour Makinde with the Aare Asoludero title reflects this improved security landscape.

The pSPI report also highlighted Oyo’s strong performance in environmental cleanliness and urban management. Waste management systems have been upgraded, with better collection, disposal, and recycling processes. Urban centres have become cleaner, more organised, and more aesthetically appealing, contributing to public health and overall quality of life.

Perhaps the most compelling validation of Makinde’s governance is citizen satisfaction. The pSPI’s perception surveys revealed that residents feel safer, more supported, and more optimistic about the state’s direction. This sentiment mirrors the confidence expressed by traditional rulers, who described Makinde as a leader whose impact is felt in daily life.

Nowhere was this more visible than in Ibarapaland last Saturday, the day of the conferment.

As Makinde stepped forward to receive the title Aare Asoludero, a wave of emotion swept through the crowd like wind across ripe fields. Their cheers rose not as noise but as testimony. Their smiles carried the weight of gratitude. For them, this was more than a ceremony; it was a communal declaration that the one who steadied their land had earned the drumbeat of their joy.

From their elevated seats, the traditional rulers watched with quiet pride. These custodians of heritage, men whose voices hold the weight of history, saw in the vast crowd a verdict more powerful than any proclamation. To them, conferring the title was not an act of ceremony but an affirmation of truth.

The Aare Asoludero title and the pSPI ranking may come from different worlds — one ancient, one modern — yet they testify to the same reality. Tradition raised its staff; data raised its charts. Both pointed to a state transformed, a people uplifted, and a leader whose work is felt in the rhythm of daily life.

From roads that reconnect forgotten communities to hospitals that restore hope, from schools that awaken potential to security systems that steady the land, Makinde’s imprint runs through the arteries of Oyo State. The rulers of Ibarapaland honoured this through heritage; Phillips Consulting confirmed it through numbers.

And so, the verdict is unmistakable. Oyo State is rising, steadily, confidently, and tangibly. At the heart of that rise stands a governor whose leadership has become both a cultural symbol and a statistical fact. Makinde is not just the Aare Asoludero; he is the Aare of Liveability.

In the harmony between heritage and hard data, one truth endures: Makinde has not only led Oyo State, he has lifted it.

Dr. Olanrewaju is the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Oyo State.

 

OYO 2027: Fatola, Adedibu, Taiwo, Obadara Set to Unveil Legislative Roadmaps, Launch Campaigns

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency, Hon. Samson Opeyemi Fatola, alongside three other PDP legislative candidates, will formally unveil their legislative roadmaps and launch their campaigns on Sunday, September 6, in Ibadan.

The event, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. prompt at the PDP State Secretariat, Molete, is expected to attract PDP chieftains, party leaders, ward coordinators, political stakeholders, supporters, friends and families from across the constituencies.

Also unveiling their legislative roadmaps are Hon. Usman Sijuade Adedibu, PDP candidate for Ibadan South West Constituency I; Hon. Jimoh Taiwo, candidate for Ibadan South West Constituency II; and Hon. Akeem Olaleye Obadara, candidate for Ibadan North West State Constituency.

The event will provide the candidates an opportunity to present their visions, legislative priorities and development agenda to constituents and party stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.

Fatola's “Te S’Oju E!” Agenda

Fatola, a U.S.-based business leader, philanthropist and grassroots politician, is expected to take centre stage as he unveils his five-pillar manifesto, “Te S’Oju E!” (The Covenant Code), focused on socio-economic development across the Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency.

Anchored on Listen, Partner, Represent and Deliver, the agenda focuses on practical solutions to challenges facing constituents.

His manifesto prioritises infrastructure and community renewal, including flood mitigation, river channel dredging, slum modernisation and stronger regulation of real estate to protect homeseekers.

For human capital and economic empowerment, Fatola proposes a Graduate Transitional Assistance Scheme, a rehabilitation centre and the Ibadan Craft, Tech & Digital Academy, alongside legislative protection and mandatory insurance for informal construction artisans.

The social welfare component includes merit scholarships, interest-free micro-credit loans for market women, subsidised healthcare and nutrition for senior citizens, and fully sponsored national examination fees for indigent students.

Gbolarumi, PDP Leaders Expected

Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and PDP gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 election, Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi, is expected to grace the occasion alongside other party leaders and stakeholders.

Gbolarumi is also expected to raise the hands of the four candidates in a symbolic show of support as the party intensifies mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Earlier on Sunday morning, Fatola will equip his football club, Te S’Oju E Football Club, with jerseys, footballs and other sporting materials as part of his youth development initiative.

The campaign team has called on PDP members, supporters, community leaders and residents across the constituencies to attend the event and witness the unveiling of the candidates' legislative roadmaps.

“Te S’Oju E! — The time to listen, partner, represent and deliver is now.”