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Oyo Govt Approves Just ₦63.4bn for Government House Renovation, Others Ahead of 50th Anniversary
The Oyo State Executive Council has approved a total of ₦63.48 billion for the complete renovation of the Government House, describing its current condition as unbefitting and embarrassing.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, revealed in a statement on Tuesday that for the past six years, Governor Seyi Makinde and his deputy have been residing in private homes due to the dilapidated state of the official residence. The renovation, including completion of the banquet hall, is expected to be part of the state’s 50th anniversary celebration next year.
The Council also approved ₦131.75 million for the hiring of professional gardeners to maintain the Government House grounds.
In addition, the state is investing ₦14.3 billion to install a new Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan, following damage to a previously procured one by the federal government. The ILS installation is scheduled for completion within six months to support the airport’s upgrade to international status.
Other approvals include the first installment payment for the International Agro-Food Market to be built in Ijaiye in collaboration with AfDB and French firm Semmaris, valued at €2 million.
The Council also gave a nod to the second edition of the Oyo State International Tourism Summit in July, and a ₦130 million take-off grant for the New Towns and Cities Development Authority, created to tackle urban congestion.
To support all these projects, the state’s 2025 supplementary budget has been increased by ₦270.85 billion, aimed at completing key infrastructure before the end of the current administration.