As Oyo State approaches the 50th year of its creation, its Executive Council has approved the sum of ₦63,479,858 billion for the overhauling of the structures of the Government House.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 18, by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Council described the current state and ambience of the Government House as an embarrassment and unbefitting facility.
The Commissioner observed that for the past six years, the governor and his deputy had been living in their personal houses instead of their official residences at the Government House.
He said that the banquet hall at the Government House would be completed before the state’s 50th anniversary in 2026 as part of the Seyi Makinde administration’s legacy for the next administration.
In addition, the State Executive Council approved the sum of ₦131,751,530 million to employ professional gardeners for the maintenance of green areas and other designated places of the Government House.
Also, in fulfilment of its determination to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to international standard, the Pacesetter State is processing the installation of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), for which the State Executive Council gave an approval of ₦14,296,507 million for the procurement and installation.
According to the Commissioner for Information, the ILS technology ensures the smooth landing of aircraft, especially in a bad weather.
Prince Oyelade said that an earlier instrument procured by the Federal Government was damaged and the state had taken it upon itself to procure and install another one within six months.
It will be recalled that the airport upgrade which was officially flagged off on September 18, 2024, was shut down in March 2025 to intensify work on the project.
Prince Oyelade reiterated that facilities were being put in place for Customs, Immigration and other vital agencies to meet international standards.
The Commissioner said that the runway upgrade, apron, taxiway, blast pads among others would be completed before the end of the year.
Prince Oyelade stated further the International Terminal construction would be ready by June 2026 for such flights.
He noted that the resumption of operation at the Ladoke Akintola Airport would be subject to the approval by relevant federal aviation agencies.
The Executive Council also approved the payment of the first installment for the service agreement on the International Agro-Food Market which would be constructed at Ijaiye.
The agreement for the construction of the fresh produce international market is in conjunction with the African Development Bank (AfDB) that had issued a certificate of “no objection” for the project.
According to the Commissioner, Oyo State is collaborating with a Paris-based fresh agric produce international farm company, Semmaris, at a cost of €2 million.
The Council also approved the second edition of the 2025 Oyo State International Tourism Summit which will take place in July.
Also, a take-off grant of ₦130 million was approved for the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority.
The Agency was established to relieve urban cities of structural congestion and avoid the resultant urban slums.
The Commissioner also revealed that the State 2025 supplementary budget had been increased by ₦270,854.5 billion to align with the state roadmap blueprint to complete ongoing projects before the end of the Seyi Makinde administration.
