The Oyo State Executive Council has approved a total sum of ₦63.4 billion for the comprehensive reconstruction of the Government House, describing its current condition as “an embarrassment and unbefitting.”
Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, noting that the project forms part of preparations for Oyo State’s 50th anniversary celebrations scheduled for next year.
“For the past six years, the Governor and his deputy have lived in their private residences due to the deplorable state of the official quarters. The reconstruction will serve as a worthy legacy of the Seyi Makinde administration,” Oyelade stated.
According to him, the banquet hall is expected to be completed before the golden jubilee celebration, while the entire project signals a renewal of state infrastructure and image.
Additionally, the Council approved ₦131.75 million for the engagement of professional gardeners to maintain the green areas and surroundings of the revamped Government House.
In a separate development, the state is moving to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to international standards with the procurement and installation of Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) valued at ₦14.29 billion. The system will facilitate smooth aircraft landings, particularly during poor weather conditions.
“The previous ILS equipment procured by the Federal Government was damaged. The state government is stepping in to procure and install a new one within six months,” Oyelade explained.
The airport, which was closed in March 2025 after being flagged off in September 2024, is undergoing major upgrades, including the runway, apron, taxiway, and blast pads.
Oyelade noted that these works are expected to be completed by the end of the year, while the international terminal is slated for completion by June 2026, subject to clearance by federal aviation agencies.
To further stimulate economic growth, the Council also approved the first instalment payment for the service agreement on the Ijaiye International Agro-Food Market.
The €2 million project, being executed in collaboration with Paris-based company Semmaris and the African Development Bank (AfDB), received a certificate of no objection from the AfDB.
In other approvals, the Council sanctioned a ₦130 million take-off grant for the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority, which was created to reduce structural congestion in urban centres and prevent the formation of slums.
The government also approved the hosting of the second edition of the Oyo State International Tourism Summit in July 2025, as well as an increase of ₦270.85 billion to the state’s 2025 supplementary budget to align with the administration’s roadmap and ensure the completion of ongoing projects.
