Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, is set to receive the prestigious Leadership Newspaper’s Governor of the Year Award (2025) in recognition of his exemplary leadership and transformative achievements across critical sectors of the state’s economy.
In a statement made available to journalists by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Yinka Oyebode ,said the award ceremony is scheduled to hold today at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
In its nomination letter, the management of Leadership Newspapers noted that Governor Oyebanji was selected for his people-oriented leadership style and the far-reaching impact of his administration on the socio-economic development of Ekiti State.
Since assuming office on October 16, 2022, Governor Oyebanji has diligently pursued the implementation of his six-pillar development agenda, derived from the Ekiti State Development Plan (2020–2050). The agenda is strategically designed to deliver shared prosperity and sustainable growth for the people.
His administration’s focused interventions have driven significant progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, digital economy, and tourism development, among other key sectors.
The steady transformation witnessed in Ekiti under his leadership has continued to attract national recognition from reputable media organisations and development institutions.
Before this latest honour, Governor Oyebanji had received several notable awards, including the Silverbird Man of the Year Award (2024), Vanguard Newspaper’s Good Governance Award (2024), Daily Independent Newspaper’s Governor of the Year Award (2023), The EDGE Award for Most Outstanding Leadership (2024), and the Energy Governor of the Year Award (2024) by Energy Times.
Ekiti State has also recorded remarkable social and economic milestones under his administration. The state ranked first in the BudgIT State Fiscal Transparency League for five consecutive quarters (Q2, Q3, Q4 2024 and Q1, Q2 2025). It also emerged as the state with the second lowest rate of out-of-school children in the country.
In addition, Enough-is-Enough (EiE) ranked Ekiti as the state with the lowest media-reported killings for Q2 2025, reinforcing its reputation as one of the safest and most peaceful states in Nigeria.
The health sector has equally witnessed measurable improvements. Neonatal mortality reduced by 57 per cent from 42 per 1,000 in 2019 to 18 per 1,000 in 2024. Infant mortality dropped by 53 per cent from 57 per 1,000 in 2010 to 27 per 1,000 in 2024, while under-five mortality declined by 54 per cent from 95 per 1,000 in 2019 to 44 per 1,000 in 2024.
Governor Oyebanji has consistently prioritised policies and programmes aimed at improving the welfare and wellbeing of Ekiti residents. The widespread endorsement he recently received from critical stakeholders across the state for a second term bid further reflects the confidence reposed in his leadership.
