Makinde defends N63bn project, insists the cost reflects today’s economic reality and aims to create a modern seat of power in Oyo State
Makinde defends N63bn project, saying it is a long-term investment in durable infrastructure and a modern seat of government designed to serve Oyo State for generations.
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Governor Seyi Makinde reaffirmed this on Monday while addressing political appointees at a Midterm Retreat held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
The event was convened to assess the administration’s performance at the halfway mark of its second term.
The governor said his government was not in the business of quick wins for political applause, but focused instead on laying critical infrastructure that will stand the test of time.
He made the remarks in response to mounting criticism over the recently approved N63.4 billion allocated for the comprehensive reconstruction of the Oyo Government House.
Makinde clarified that the cost — though widely criticised — is reflective of current market realities driven by macroeconomic shifts, especially the naira’s steep depreciation against the dollar.
He noted that the same project would have cost roughly N16 billion two years ago when the exchange rate was around N400 to $1.
We are not chasing headlines — we are building legacy infrastructure that will endure.
“The N63 billion is not for patchwork or a facelift,” he said. “It is for a full-scale reconstruction to build a Government House that matches modern governance standards.”
He added that critics had misunderstood the scope of the project.
According to the governor, he personally took stock of the existing buildings in the Government House and noted that the level of deterioration required a complete overhaul, not cosmetic renovations.
“It is important for people to understand that this is not about extravagance,” Makinde said.
“It is about functionality, dignity, and legacy. What we are building today is what future generations of Oyo State will inherit.”
The governor maintained that prudent governance in a time of economic pressure requires bold but necessary decisions, especially on infrastructure that supports government functionality.
Also present at the retreat were members of the state executive council, high-ranking government officials, and development stakeholders.
The session is expected to evaluate the administration’s progress and refine priorities for the remaining half of its tenure.
Observers say Makinde defends N63bn project not merely as a government expense but as a strategic investment aligned with his broader vision for infrastructural transformation in Oyo State.
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Whether that vision will gain more public acceptance remains to be seen as the administration presses forward.
