Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde has urged the people of the state to take ownership of their future as the countdown to the 2027 gubernatorial elections begins. The governor made this known in his bi-weekly newsletter, No. 109 which was sent to his email subscribers this evening where he outlined his vision for continuity and sustainability in the state’s development.
“You gave me the opportunity to serve you, and so you will also decide who will serve you next,” Makinde stated. “Sometime in 2026, I will reveal who I will be supporting for the 2027 gubernatorial elections. It will then be left to you, the good people of Oyo State, to say if you want that continuity.”
The governor’s message comes amid growing discussions about the sustainability of his administration’s policies, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and economic development. Makinde emphasised that the future of Oyo State lies in the hands of its people, urging them to build on the foundations his government has laid over the past five years.
In the newsletter, Makinde also revealed that his administration has garnered international recognition for its innovative approach to governance, particularly in the agricultural sector. He stated that the state’s agribusiness initiatives, which was designed to move residents from poverty to prosperity, have been hailed as a model of strategic thinking and targeted implementation.
“When we started putting in the work over five years ago, we did not do it for the accolades,” Makinde said. “We did it because data, science, and logic supported our decision to make agribusiness one of the core sectors for economic growth.”
The governor highlighted the state’s unique approach to agriculture, which has involved collaborating with the private sector to provide counterpart funding for smallholder farmers, rather than relying on government-owned tractors that often prove unsustainable. “We have taken the path less travelled,” he explained. “Instead of buying tractors that the government may not be able to maintain, we have partnered with the private sector to empower our farmers.”
However, the journey has not been without challenges. Makinde acknowledged that some projects, such as the Fasola agricultural initiative, fell short of initial expectations. “We ambitiously thought we could finish the Fasola project within one year. Well, we didn’t,” he admitted. “But we have learnt so much from that pilot project, which we are implementing as we move to Eruwa and Ijaiye.”
The governor stressed the importance of learning from setbacks, noting that failure is a crucial step toward success. “We know that the only way to success is to embrace failure and learn from it,” he said.
Oyo State’s efforts have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. Recently, Governor Makinde hosted Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, who was so impressed by the state’s systems that he invited Makinde to Sierra Leone for further engagements. “President Bio was so impressed by our systems that he has invited me over to Sierra Leone for further discussions,” Makinde revealed.
The governor attributed these achievements to the unwavering support of the people of Oyo State. “These accolades we are receiving are a celebration of you, the good people of Oyo State, for your continued support,” he said. “For this, I am eternally grateful.”
As his administration enters its final two years, Makinde pledged to remain focused on delivering sustainable development. “We will continue to promote infrastructure development, tourism, agribusiness, and solid minerals development to grow our economy further,” he assured.
Makinde concluded in his newsletter by urging residents to remain committed to progress. “Let’s forge ahead to do even greater things,” he declared. “The future of Oyo State is bright, and together, we can achieve even more.”
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