NEC Inspection: Oyo Adopts Holistic Approach to Sustainable Development — SSG

The Oyo State Government has adopted a holistic approach to development, integrating projects across key sectors to achieve sustainable growth.

The Secretary to the Oyo State Government (SSG), Prof. Musibau Babatunde, stated this during a courtesy visit by the National Economic Council (NEC) inspection team to his office at the Secretariat, Ibadan, following the team’s assessment of selected projects across the State.

Prof. Babatunde said the approach was guided by the State’s 2023–2027 sustainable development roadmap. He noted that education and healthcare programmes were being implemented as interconnected sectors to ensure comprehensive development.

The SSG also highlighted the importance of strategic road projects, including the Iwo Road Interchange. He said improved road networks linking the rail and dry ports would ease movement, support businesses and prevent future congestion.

On agriculture, Prof. Babatunde said Oyo was repositioning the sector as a business through tractorisation, farm inputs and support for livestock and fish farmers. He described the State as a major food basket of the South-West, supplying agricultural produce to several States.

He added that the Government was strengthening institutions, security and rural infrastructure to sustain development. According to him, the strategy is to identify challenges, create opportunities around them and ensure continuity in the state’s development efforts.

Speaking during the inspection, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, said the NEC assessment provided an opportunity for the State to showcase projects that are directly aligned with its development priorities. He noted that the projects were selected to deliver tangible benefits to residents and contribute to the State’s broader development objectives.

Barr. Ojo added that the state would continue to strengthen its planning and budgeting processes to ensure that government resources are directed towards projects with lasting impact.

He appreciated the NEC team for the assessment, describing it as valuable to the State’s efforts to promote accountability, effective planning and sustainable development.

Also Speaking, the NEC Team Leader, Assistant Chief Planning Officer, NEC Secretariat, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Abuja, Mr. Olayiwola Yusuf commended the Oyo State Government for the progress recorded on the projects inspected, describing the State’s efforts as commendable.

He expressed optimism that the projects would be sustained and continue to deliver the desired benefits to the people of Oyo State.

The NEC team inspected several projects across the State, including the Ijaye Asphalt Plant, Fashola Farm Estate, Ibadan Airport ,Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited in Iseyin, Ibadan 12-Megawatt Independent Power Project Secretariat, Olunloyo Park, Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road, Akuro Primary Health Care Centre, Ibadan Central Bus Terminal at Iwo Road, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Iseyin Campus and the 76.6-kilometre Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Psaltry Foods, Eleyele Waterfront among others.

The inspection team was accompanied by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Planning, Alhaji Ghafar Bello; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Economic Planning, Hon. Kolawole Akanmu; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Julius Ayanleke; Principal Planning Officer NEC, Mr. Ibrahim Husseini, Senior Planning Officer NEC, Mrs. Alozie Victory Onyekachi, as well as other Government officials.