The Oyo State Executive Council has approved a sum of ₦63,479,858,000 for the overhaul of the Government House structures.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, described the current state and ambience of the Government House as an embarrassment and an unbefitting facility.
Oyelade noted that for the past six years, the governor and his deputy have been living in their personal houses instead of their official residences at the Government House.
The commissioner stated that the banquet hall at Government House will be completed before the 50th anniversary of Oyo State, next year, as part of the Seyi Makinde administration’s legacy for the next administration.
The council also approved the sum of ₦131,751,530 to employ professional gardeners for the maintenance of green areas and other designated places of the Government House.
Similarly, in fulfillment of its determination to upgrade the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to an International standard, Oyo State is processing the installation of Instrument Landing Systems.
The State Executive Council approved the sum of ₦14,296,507,000 for the procurement and installation.
According to the commissioner, the ILS technology ensures the smooth landing of aircraft, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
The commissioner said that an earlier instrument procured by the Federal Government was damaged, and the state has taken it upon itself to procure and install another one within six months.
It will be recalled that the airport upgrade, which was officially launched on September 18, 2024, and shut down in March 2025, was intended to intensify work on the project.
Oyelade reiterated that facilities are being put in place for customs, immigration and other vital agencies to meet International standards.
The commissioner stated that the runway upgrade, apron, taxiway, and blast pads, among other projects, will be completed by the end of the year, all things being equal.
Oyelade stated that the International Terminal construction will be completed by June 2026, enabling such flights.
He noted that the resumption of operation at the Ladoke Akintola Airport is subject to the approval by the relevant federal aviation agencies.
The council also approved the payment of the first installment for the service agreement on the International Agro-Food Market, which will be constructed at Ijaiye.
The agreement for the construction of the fresh produce international market is in conjunction with the African Development Bank, which has issued a certificate of no objection for the project.
According to the commissioner, Oyo State is collaborating with a Paris-based international farm company specialising in fresh agricultural produce, Semmaris, for €2 million.
The council also approved the second edition of the 2025 Oyo State International Tourism Summit, which will take place in July.
Also, a take-off grant of ₦130,000,000 was approved for the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority.
The agency was established to relieve urban cities of structural congestion and avoid the resultant urban slums.
The commissioner also revealed that the state 2025 supplementary budget has been increased by ₦270,854,500,000 to align with the state roadmap blueprint to complete ongoing projects before the end of the Seyi Makinde administration.