Oyo approves ₦63.5bn for Government House renovation ahead of 50th anniversary

Summary

• ₦63.5bn earmarked to refurbish Ibadan Government House as part of 2026 jubilee plans
• Governor Makinde, deputy have avoided official quarters for six years due to poor state
• Public reactions mixed, with criticism over timing amid economic hardship

Ibadan — The Oyo State Executive Council has approved a total of ₦63,479,858,000 for the comprehensive renovation of the Government House in Ibadan, ahead of the state’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2026.

The decision, announced by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, aims to restore dignity to a facility described as “embarrassing” and “unbefitting” for official state functions.

According to Oyelade, the renovation will involve a major structural overhaul, with particular attention to the banquet hall, which is scheduled for completion before the golden jubilee celebrations. The upgrade is also intended to serve as part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s legacy as he continues his second term in office.

Notably, Governor Makinde and his deputy, Bayo Lawal, have resided in their private homes for the past six years due to the dilapidated condition of the official residences. The renovation marks the first significant effort to restore the Government House in decades.

In addition to the main contract sum, the council approved ₦131,751,530 for the engagement of professional gardeners to maintain the green spaces and landscape surrounding the Government House.

The project is part of a broader ₦270.85 billion supplementary budget for 2025, which aims to accelerate the completion of ongoing infrastructure and public service initiatives across the state.

However, the announcement has sparked a wave of public reactions, especially on social media platform X, where many citizens have raised concerns about the timing and scale of the expenditure, given the current economic challenges facing Nigeria. Critics argue that the funds could be better spent on more pressing issues such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.

Despite the mounting questions, no formal response from the state government has been issued to directly address the criticism.

As Oyo approaches its landmark anniversary, the Government House renovation remains one of the most talked-about elements of the celebration’s preparation.