Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has issued a rallying call to all citizens of the state, urging them to unite with his administration to construct the prosperous future envisioned for the Pacesetter State. The governor made this appeal during his official New Year broadcast to the state on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
A Year of Resilience and Steady Progress
Governor Makinde commenced his address by acknowledging the difficulties faced in the year 2025. He stated that families, businesses, and institutions across Nigeria felt significant economic pressure and uncertainty. Despite these nationwide challenges, he praised the resilience of Oyo State's residents, declaring that the state was "hard pressed on every side, but not crushed."
The governor emphasized that his administration maintained a calm, focused, and principled approach to governance throughout the turbulent period. He highlighted that Oyo State's institutions remained functional and committed to due process, transparency, and accountability, choosing long-term stability over short-term political gains.
Key Infrastructure and Economic Milestones of 2025
Governor Makinde detailed several significant accomplishments from the outgoing year. A major highlight was the progress on the 110-kilometer Ibadan Circular Road, a strategic project designed to act as an economic corridor to unlock growth, attract investment, and generate employment for future generations. He noted that the project faced political distractions but his government remained focused on its completion for the benefit of the people.
In the economic sphere, the governor pointed to two pivotal events: the Oyo State International Agribusiness Summit and the International Tourism Summit. These summits were strategic moves to shift the state's economy from a consumptive model to a productive one. The agribusiness summit aimed to connect farmers to markets and investors, while the tourism summit sought to reposition the sector as a structured job-creating industry. Makinde revealed that these efforts are already yielding interest from investors for the state's Focus-5 tourist sites.
On security, the governor acknowledged moments of fear and anxiety but stated that Oyo State enjoyed relative peace compared to other parts of the country, thanks to improved coordination with security agencies.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Budget of Economic Expansion
Governor Makinde expressed optimism for the new year, stating that "2025 tested our resolve, 2026 will reward our preparation." He cited the recent preparation and signing of the 2026 Budget of Economic Expansion as a foundational step for the anticipated economic uplift and achievements. The budget is centered on production, infrastructure completion, investment attraction, and job creation.
He also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to the welfare of civil servants, noting that salaries were paid promptly on the 25th of every month throughout 2025, including a 13th-month salary in December.
In his concluding remarks, Governor Makinde made a direct appeal for partnership. "Government alone cannot build the future we desire," he stated, asking residents for continued cooperation, civic responsibility, and unity. He urged everyone to keep Oyo State peaceful, lawful, and productive, emphasizing that shared progress is the strongest. He thanked the people for their trust and resilience, wishing them a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
