Earlier today, we commissioned 38.48 kilometres of feeder roads within Ibadan. This development will improve connectivity and accessibility for our communities. Yesterday, we proudly opened the new Olubadan of Ibadan Palace, preparing for the installation of our new Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, tomorrow. Additionally, I recently inspected the 110 km Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road. I’m pleased to report significant progress, and as promised, 70 km of this road will be completed before the end of our tenure.

When we assumed office, Oyo State faced numerous challenges. I would not be wrong to say we were in the trenches. Some may not fully grasp the depth of these issues if they haven’t been closely following our journey. Since 2019, our administration has completed 335.77 kilometres of roads within the State (this does not include roads fixed by local government authorities). Yet, it sometimes feels like we have only scratched the surface. We still have complaints about last-mile roads and how it affects our people’s daily commute. Of course, we would like to do more and we need to be strategic in doing more.

It is clear that we need more resources. A quick fix that has been deployed by various States in Nigeria, including our neighbouring southwest States is raising taxes. All this accomplishes is making those who are already paying taxes bear even heavier burdens. So, we chose a different approach. This is a longer approach but it has more long-term benefits. We are expanding the tax net; to do this requires data, to get data requires getting people captured. To capture these people requires dismantling opaque systems that have thrived on corruption over the years. Sometimes, we have to fight principalities and powers including people who pose as friends. But we are getting there. We have increased our State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) from about N2 billion monthly to about N5 billion monthly, demonstrating we are moving in the right direction.