
03/07/2025
Oyo State’s bold claim that foreign exchange volatility justified its lavish ₦63.4 billion renovation of the Government House is more than flimsy — it is unapologetic prodigality. To put it bluntly, this one-time redirection consumes nearly all of the ₦65.2 billion the state generated internally in 2024. That sum didn’t build schools, didn’t bolster healthcare, didn’t power economic engines, but it is to redecorate the governor’s residence. Any justification rooted in forex swings conveniently ignores that every sector — roads, health, education, moved forward despite the same currency turbulence. Only this one building got the bailout. If history has taught Nigerian states anything, it’s that superficial grandeur rarely translates into long-term prosperity. What lifts societies is not ornate ceilings or imported tiles in government residences, but bold, strategic investments that place citizens at the center of development. That is the irreversible truth, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration seems to have ignored with the ₦63.4 billion renovation, an allocation nearly matching the state’s entire Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for 2024. When a state chooses to spend what it earns in a whole year on refurbishing a building few citizens will ever enter, it raises serious questions about its vision, values, and priorities.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration is not without merit. Under his watch, IGR has seen a staggering 145.5 per cent increase since 2019, catapulting Oyo into the top ten revenue-generating states in Nigeria. Urban arterial rehabilitation, such as the Circular Road and Airport Drive, and rural connectivity showcase real, palpable progress. Agribusiness initiatives, training for over 4,000 youths, and consistent wage payments reflect thoughtful policy. These are the hallmarks of good governance. But governance is measured by priorities. The moment Oyo redirected a percentage of its annual revenue to refurbish decorative ceilings, the narrative shifted from progress to pretence. In a world facing grid instability and climate threats, Oyo is not investing that money into energy, empowerment, or enterprise. (SWIPE>>>)