By Law Ibitoye
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has highlighted his achievements in the last four years, Saying he would consolidate on the achievements, assured Ekiti residents of more development.
The Governor said he has recruited 6,000 teachers, provided over 800,000 free health services and the disbursement of ₦36.6 billion in pension benefits as major interventions recorded by his administration since assuming office in October 2022.
The governor disclosed these on Tuesday during his 2026 State of the State Address at the Ekiti State House of Assembly Complex in Ado-Ekiti, where he outlined his administration’s performance ahead of his second-term inauguration scheduled for Friday, October 16.
Speaking under the theme, “The Good Work Continues,” Oyebanji said his government had pursued programmes aimed at improving public services, strengthening the economy and enhancing the welfare of residents across the state.
In the education sector, Oyebanji said the recruitment of about 6,000 teachers had been complemented by scholarship programmes and digital skills initiatives designed to improve learning opportunities and equip young people for emerging employment opportunities.
The governor also said that 177 primary healthcare centres had been revitalised, while more than 800,000 free health services had been provided to residents.
He further cited a reduction in neonatal mortality, from 42 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 18 in 2025, as part of the health indicators recorded in the period under review.
On pension administration, Oyebanji disclosed that his government paid ₦36.6 billion to 10,093 pensioners between October 2022 and August 2026, alongside other measures targeted at improving workers’ welfare.
The governor said the administration had also invested in rural infrastructure and agricultural development, including the construction or rehabilitation of 161 kilometres of rural roads and subsidised land-clearing services to support farmers.
He added that programmes encouraging young people to embrace agriculture were part of efforts to boost food production, expand economic opportunities and improve rural livelihoods.
Addressing security concerns, Oyebanji listed the creation of the Agro-Marshals Corps, the deployment of 100 patrol vehicles and the provision of surveillance equipment among measures taken to strengthen security across the state.
He said a safer environment remained essential for protecting residents, securing farmlands and creating favourable conditions for business and investment.
Oyebanji also put the estimated size of Ekiti’s economy at ₦8.8 trillion, noting that further growth would require increased investment, higher productivity and the creation of more jobs.
He pledged to sustain the administration’s focus on infrastructure, industrialisation, economic expansion and efficient public service delivery in his second term, while appreciating the support of residents and the contributions of stakeholders to the state’s development.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, said the legislature had passed 35 bills, adopted 69 resolutions and held 24 public hearings during the period under review.
Aribasoye also noted that the Assembly had embraced digital platforms to improve legislative operations and public participation, while urging the government to consider providing residential accommodation for lawmakers.
The session was attended by Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, the First Lady, Professor Olayemi Oyebanji, traditional rulers, members of the National Assembly, former speakers and other dignitaries.
The address formed part of activities preceding Oyebanji’s second term, during which he said his administration would continue to pursue its development priorities under the banner, “The Good Work Continues.”
