The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has rejected claims that its fines are “cut-throat” and place an undue burden on motorists, saying the penalties are necessary to deter dangerous driving and save lives on the state’s roads.

The Executive Chairman of the Authority, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), stated this in response to an article by Maroof Asudemade titled, “OYRTMA’s ‘Cut-Throat’ Fines: Makinde’s Government Piles More Burden on Struggling Motorists.”

The OYRTMA chairman said traffic fines were not merely an economic matter but “first and foremost, a matter of life and death”, stressing that the penalties were intended to deter conduct that had cost Oyo State hundreds of lives and left many families with permanent disabilities.

He faulted the article’s comparison of OYRTMA fines with those of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), describing it as “deeply flawed”.

According to him, the FRSC fine schedule cited in the article is rooted in the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, and the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012, with fines such as ₦2,000 for seatbelt violations, ₦3,000 for wrongful overtaking and ₦4,000 for mobile phone use having remained unchanged for decades.

He said the Senate had passed an amendment to the FRSC Act in 2026, proposing increases of up to 300 per cent in some fines, with penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and speed-limit violations rising from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000. He said the amended Act was awaiting presidential assent, while OYRTMA reviewed its fines in June 2025 to make them a genuine deterrent.

The Chairman also compared OYRTMA’s fines with those of peer agencies in other South-West states, which according to him, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, prescribes up to three years’ imprisonment for driving against traffic, ₦100,000 for driving under the influence, ₦50,000 for driving on restricted routes, and ₦50,000 each for dangerous and reckless driving.

He added that LASTMA had also ordered mandatory psychiatric evaluations for motorists caught driving against traffic, while also, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), which is responsible for traffic management and enforcement in Ogun State, also uses measures such as vehicle impoundment, fines, community service, mandatory psychiatric tests for certain route violations and prosecution of offenders.

He said OYRTMA’s fines were in line with, and in some cases lower than, those of its peers, noting that its ₦10,000 fine for wrongful overtaking was significantly lower than Lagos State’s ₦50,000 fine for reckless driving.

Citing road crash data, Major Adekoya (Rtd) said the FRSC recorded 304 crashes in Oyo State in 2024, resulting in 222 deaths and 779 injuries. He also recalled that 146 persons died in road traffic crashes in the state between January and June 2023, while the Oyo State Police Command recorded 351 deaths from 751 auto accidents between January and September of the same year.

He added that OYRTMA’s records showed 195 deaths and 643 injuries from road crashes in the state in 2025.
The chairman cited specific incidents, including the June 24, 2025 multiple crash at Sanyo on the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway involving seven vehicles and claiming five lives. He said the crash was attributed to speeding, wrongful overtaking and loss of control.

He also mentioned a February 2026 incident in which a fuel-laden truck trapped a commercial Nissan Micra against a beverage truck at Iwo Road, Ibadan. He recalled that in December 2024, OYRTMA arrested 1,079 traffic offenders, while seven fatalities, including a nursing mother, were recorded along the Iwo Road-Ojoo stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“The fine is not the punishment; the fine is the warning. The punishment is the funeral. The punishment is the permanent disability. The punishment is the child who will never see her mother again,” He said.

He rejected suggestions that OYRTMA operates as an arbitrary fining machine, pointing to the Traffic Violation Tribunal constituted by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA).

He said the tribunal, which commenced sitting in September 2024, is a court of record where offenders are given a fair hearing. In its first session, he said, 27 cases were treated, with some offenders found guilty and fined, while others were discharged without fines.

From September 2024 to July 2025, Adekoya said OYRLEA tribunals tried no fewer than 6,000 traffic offenders and 3,000 environmental offenders.

He added that counsel were available to defend suspects, who could also apply for bail depending on the nature of the offences, while the tribunal collaborates with the Nigerian Bar Association and the Legal Aid Council to ensure access to legal representation.

The OYRTMA Chairman also stressed that the purpose of a fine was deterrence, not revenue generation. Quoting the Road Safety Toolkit developed by the International Road Assessment Programme (IRAP), he said road rules were more likely to be obeyed when road users believed that non-compliance would result in detection and consequences such as fines or licence cancellation.

He argued that a ₦2,000 fine for failing to wear a seatbelt, an offence he said accounts for 35 per cent of fatal road crashes, was not sufficient deterrence but a minor inconvenience. A ₦10,000 fine, he said, was more likely to make a driver reconsider such behaviour.

“The goal of OYRTMA is compliance, not punishment,” he said, adding that the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde had invested in infrastructure, public enlightenment and road safety campaigns, with fines serving as a last resort.

“OYRTMA is not an enemy of the motorist. We are the protectors of the motorist. Every fine we impose is a life we are trying to save. Every offender we bring before the tribunal is a potential crash we are trying to prevent,” he said

He invited the author to visit the tribunal and observe its proceedings, insisting that OYRTMA was “not a cut-throat agency” but “a life-saving agency” committed to protecting lives on the state’s roads.

E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Hon. Commissioner for Information,
Oyo State

The Oyo State Government has partnered with the European Union (EU), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to review and finalise the state’s Social Protection Bill under the Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) Project.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Oluwaseun Ojo, stated this while delivering the keynote address at a two-day workshop on the proposed legislation, held at Plaza De Haruna Hotel, Oyo.

The Commissioner said the partnership would provide the technical expertise, institutional support, and stakeholder engagement required to strengthen social protection in the state.

He noted that the initiative was designed to address the vulnerabilities faced by children, women, persons with disabilities, farmers, informal-sector workers, and the unemployed.

According to him, the proposed bill seeks to replace fragmented interventions with a coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable social protection system.

He explained that, when passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, the bill would provide a legal framework for the coordination, implementation, financing, monitoring, and evaluation of social protection programmes across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as relevant non-state actors.

In his goodwill message, the UNICEF Lagos Office representative, Mr. Mohammed Okorie, described Oyo State as a pace-setter, stressing that social protection was vital to addressing poverty and building resilience.

Okorie said stakeholders were working to institutionalise the social protection framework to ensure that the life-changing programmes outlive the current administration.

The Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, pledged the legislature’s support for the bill, assuring stakeholders that, once it had scaled the necessary executive processes, the House would give it expedited attention and work towards its speedy passage into law.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Julius Ayanleke, appreciated the EU, UNICEF, and ILO for their continued partnership, technical support, and commitment to the welfare and development of the people of Oyo State.

E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Hon.Commissioner for Information,
Oyo State

The Oyo State Government  through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, has rejected a publication alleging harsh, unsafe and unconducive working conditions for Ad hoc Environmental Vanguards engaged by the State Government, describing the claims as misleading and a misrepresentation of the Government’s commitment to their welfare, safety and effective deployment.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Ademola Aderinto, said Environmental Vanguards remain an important component of the State Government’s environmental sanitation and enforcement architecture, stressing that their engagement is aimed at supporting the restoration and maintenance of environmental sanity across Oyo State.

He explained that the present administration has continued to strengthen the workforce through the re-engagement of Environmental Vanguards, sweepers and packers to support sanitation operations. He added that efforts have been made to deploy personnel closer to their places of residence to reduce transportation costs, while their monthly payments are made alongside other government workers.

Aderinto further disclosed that the monthly remuneration of Environmental Vanguards had been increased from N30,000 to N80,000 under the present administration, describing the improvement as part of the Government’s commitment to supporting personnel engaged in environmental sanitation and enforcement.

The Commissioner clarified that Environmental Vanguards deployed to identified black spots are specifically charged with preventing indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians, open spaces and other prohibited locations. He explained that personnel are expected to educate members of the public on proper waste disposal and, where necessary, facilitate the apprehension of offenders in accordance with the law.

He stressed that the directive is not intended to punish personnel or compel them to generate fines, but is part of the Ministry’s strategy to address persistent environmental infractions and ensure that areas under their supervision remain clean. According to him, the primary objective of enforcement is compliance and environmental sanitation, while penalties are applied only where prescribed by law and due process.

Aderinto noted that whenever Environmental Vanguards are given clear responsibilities and achieve positive results in their areas of deployment, the Ministry recognises such performance as a means of encouraging and motivating them to remain diligent. He said positive results are not intended to constitute undue pressure or victimisation of personnel.

The Commissioner also dismissed claims that members of the Environmental Vanguard were arbitrarily dismissed from service. He explained that personnel identified with performance related concerns are first warned or placed on probation, while those who perform below expectations continue to receive their payments before any administrative decision is taken. He added that the Ministry believes in correcting, guiding and giving personnel opportunities to improve.

On safety, Aderinto said the Ministry takes concerns about attacks, security threats and operational challenges seriously and would not deliberately expose its personnel to unnecessary danger. He explained that Environmental Vanguards primarily operate within the metropolis and during daylight hours, where an existing security architecture is in place, adding that it would not be practicable to attach dedicated security personnel to every field officer.

He, however, disclosed that the Ministry has an emergency security response arrangement that can be activated whenever an alert is received. He said the Ministry maintains security collaboration with the Oyo State Rule of Law Agency, Operation Burst and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, while personnel have been directed to promptly report threats, resistance or situations that could escalate for appropriate intervention.

The Commissioner said the Ministry has consistently responded to reported security concerns and would continue to provide necessary assistance where circumstances require it. He added that operational arrangements, including security and logistics, are regularly reviewed in line with prevailing circumstances and the responsibilities assigned to personnel.

Aderinto also explained that the participation of Environmental Vanguards in the Oyo Soro Soke Sita (OYO SSS) initiative forms part of the Ministry’s broader strategy of involving the public in environmental enforcement. Under the initiative, environmental infractions may be reported through photographs or by facilitating the apprehension of offenders and reporting such cases to the Ministry.

He disclosed that while the collaborator’s share under the OYO SSS programme is 10 per cent, the share applicable to Environmental Vanguards who facilitate the apprehension of offenders was increased to 15 per cent to accommodate expenses that may be incurred in the course of carrying out such assignments.

The Commissioner stressed that the Ministry’s environmental enforcement activities are not designed to witch-hunt, intimidate or unduly punish members of the public, but to promote compliance with environmental laws and create an orderly environment necessary for public health, safety and economic activities. He urged enforcement personnel to carry out their duties professionally and within the ambit of the law, while members of the public are expected to comply with environmental regulations and desist from indiscriminate waste disposal.

He further noted that the Ministry maintains regular interaction with Environmental Vanguards through periodic meetings to discuss operations, exchange ideas, receive feedback and address emerging concerns. He therefore urged the public to disregard misleading reports about the welfare and working conditions of the personnel, stressing that the Ministry remains committed to the welfare of its workforce and that all legitimate salaries and approved entitlements are duly attended to.

E-Signed:

Prince ‘Dotun Oyelade,

Hon.Commissioner for Information,

The Oyo State Government has conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, following a viral video alleging the absence of doctors, nurses and other medical personnel at the facility.

The Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board (OYSHMB), Hon. Adekunle Bankole, Esq., who led the assessment alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Board, Dr. Anifat Ibraheem, described the claim in the viral video as misleading.

Bankole said the state government remained committed to strengthening the health sector and ensuring that residents have access to quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services.

He disclosed that Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital has 31 doctors, 132 nurses and other health professionals who are actively attending to the healthcare needs of patients.

The Chairman commended the medical and other health workers at the hospital for their dedication and urged them to sustain their commitment to delivering quality services to residents.

He also commended the Oyo State Governor, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde, for his continued support and investment in the state’s health sector.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Anifat Ibraheem, highlighted some of the achievements of the present administration in the health sector.

She listed them to include the recruitment of healthcare professionals across various cadres, prompt payment of salaries and gratuities to workers and pensioners, as well as the renovation and upgrading of healthcare facilities across the state.

According to her, the measures are part of the government’s efforts to provide sustainable, affordable and accessible healthcare services for the people of Oyo State.

*E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Hon.Commissioner for Information,

The Oyo State Government has commenced stakeholders’ engagement and consultative meetings across the seven geographical zones of the State as part of efforts to obtain citizens’ inputs into the preparation of the 2027 Budget.

The exercise, being organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, is aimed at providing an avenue for residents, traditional rulers, community leaders, organised groups and other stakeholders to present their priority needs and development concerns for consideration in the 2027 Budget.

The consultative meetings are being held across the seven geographical zones of the State, namely Oke-Ogun Zone I, Oke-Ogun Zone II, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ibadan Main City and Ibadan Greater City.

Speaking at the engagement in Aago-Are, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Adebayo Lawal, said the exercise was part of the administration’s commitment to listening directly to the people and ensuring that their needs and priorities form part of the State’s budget planning process.

He explained that the Government was particularly interested in receiving the views of residents on critical areas of development, including road infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and other sectors that directly affect the wellbeing and economic activities of the people.

On road infrastructure, the Deputy Governor assured residents that the government would continue to give attention to roads linking rural communities with urban centres, noting that improved road networks would facilitate the movement of people and farm produce.

He said the administration recognised the importance of connecting rural communities to major towns, stressing that good roads would help ensure that agricultural produce from rural areas could move easily to urban markets.

Lawal disclosed that the Nigerian Army had approved the establishment of an Army Battalion in Kishi, assuring that the State Government would provide the necessary support to strengthen security in the area.

The Deputy Governor noted that Oke-Ogun had abundant solid mineral resources and urged traditional rulers to ensure their responsible exploitation in line with Government regulations.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Ojo, said the importance of the engagement was to provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the preparation of the 2027 Budget. He assured the stakeholders that their submissions would be considered and reflected in the budget where appropriate.

Also speaking at the Iseyin Local Government Secretariat, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. (Alhaja) Faosat Joke Sanni, appreciated the people of Oke-Ogun Zone I for their cooperation and support for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, urging them to sustain the support.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Julius Ayanleke, said the programme was the eighth edition of the stakeholders’ engagement meeting, adding that the exercise was approved by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to enable the Government visit all the zones and receive inputs from the people for consideration in the 2027 Budget.

The event was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, Government officials, supervisory councillors, special advisers, community leaders, among others.

E-Signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade

Hon. Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has trained 250 budget officers drawn from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the State on the use and application of the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA) template for budget preparation and implementation.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Barr. Ayobami Oluwaseun Ojo, said a credible budget was essential to the effective implementation of Government policies, programmes and projects.

He stated this during a three-day sensitisation workshop on the use and application of the National Chart of Accounts (NCoA), held at the Ibadan Business School, Bodija, Ibadan.

Ojo said the training was necessary to address identified gaps in budget preparation and strengthen the technical capacity of budget officers.

He added that effective application of the NCoA would promote uniformity in budget preparation, improve budget monitoring and enhance accountability in the management of public resources.

The Commissioner stressed that the 2027 budget estimates must align with the Economic and Fiscal Update (EFU), Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), Budget Policy Statement (BPS) and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2027–2029, as well as the State’s “Omituntun 2.0” roadmap and Agenda 2040.

He said the alignment would help ensure that public resources were directed towards sustainable development and improved welfare of the people.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Ghafar Bello, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his support for the Ministry, noting that the collaboration between project execution and economic planning had contributed to improved coordination in the State’s planning and budgeting processes.

Speaking on the importance of the training, the Social Policy Manager, UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Mr. Mohammed Okorie, said UNICEF was supporting Oyo State, through the EU-UNICEF project, to strengthen budgeting practices and ensure that child-focused interventions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were adequately captured in the State’s budget.

Okorie urged all MDAs to mainstream child-focused issues into their plans and programmes, irrespective of their sectors, with particular attention to the needs of adolescents, especially adolescent girls, and children with disabilities.

He noted that Government expenditure remained a sustainable source of financing programmes targeted at improving the welfare of children and families.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Julius Ayanleke, appreciated UNICEF for its collaboration and support, while urging the participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve budget preparation and implementation across their respective MDAs.

E-Signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade

Hon. Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.

…Addresses Industry Concerns

The Oyo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and other key stakeholders towards creating a conducive environment for industrial growth and sustainable business development in the State.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Oyo/Osun/Ondo/Ekiti States Branch, led by its Branch Chairman, Dr. Samuel O. Olawoye, at his office in the State Secretariat, Ibadan.

Professor Adelabu, while welcoming the MAN delegation, appreciated the association for its cooperation and constructive engagement with the State Government, stressing the need for all relevant stakeholders to work together and chart a common path towards addressing issues affecting the manufacturing sector.

He noted that the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, by virtue of its responsibilities, would continue to engage manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders, emphasising that effective inter-ministerial coordination was essential to resolving issues that cut across areas such as industry, trade, markets, environment, health, safety and other regulatory matters.

The Commissioner said there was a need to strengthen regular engagement with manufacturers, recalling that issues raised by industrial operators during recent visits to industries had provided useful insights into some of the challenges confronting the sector. He therefore expressed support for the resuscitation of a regular stakeholder meeting involving the Ministry, MAN and other relevant government agencies.

According to him, issues relating to power supply, road access to industrial areas, environmental concerns, safety audits and other factors affecting the competitiveness of businesses require coordinated attention. He stressed that the State Government was interested in creating an environment that would enable industries to operate, expand and contribute more significantly to employment and economic development.

Professor Adelabu further emphasised the importance of maintaining appropriate safety standards in industrial operations, noting that safety remains a fundamental component of global best practices. He, however, stressed the need for transparency and proper coordination in the implementation of regulatory processes, assuring the manufacturers that the concerns raised would receive appropriate attention.

He also disclosed that the Ministry would continue to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies on issues affecting industrial development, noting that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, among other stakeholders, plays an important role in creating a conducive environment for businesses and industrial activities across the State.

The Commissioner called for stronger communication and a clearly defined meeting point among relevant stakeholders, saying that effective coordination would help prevent misunderstandings and facilitate faster resolution of issues affecting businesses.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Engr. Dr. Ademola Aderinto, explained that the Ministry remained open to engagement with MAN and other stakeholders, encouraging the association to formally seek clarification whenever it required further information on matters within the Ministry’s purview.

Dr. Aderinto explained that the safety audit initiative was aimed at promoting occupational health and safety, environmental protection and compliance with applicable operational standards. He noted that the exercise was designed to identify potential hazards and encourage facilities to strengthen their safety management systems and operational procedures.

He also disclosed that the Ministry had commenced initiatives aimed at recognising environmental and compliance excellence among businesses, explaining that such recognition was intended to encourage industries and other operators to continually improve their environmental standards and practices.

Earlier, the Branch Chairman of MAN, Dr. Samuel O. Olawoye, who led the delegation, read and presented the association’s letter to the Commissioner, outlining issues of concern to manufacturers and seeking stronger engagement between the association and relevant government stakeholders.

Dr. Olawoye commended the State Government for its engagement with the manufacturing community and recalled the association’s earlier interactions with the Ministry, stressing the importance of regular stakeholder meetings to provide a platform for addressing emerging issues affecting manufacturers.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for the State Government and MAN to exchange views on matters affecting industrial operations, with both sides expressing the need for continued dialogue and constructive engagement in the interest of industrial development in Oyo State.

E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade
Hon. Commissioner for Information,
Oyo State.

…Impounds Goods, Warns Traders Against Trading on Roads, Walkways and Drainages

The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA, in collaboration with security operatives, has intensified enforcement against street trading and the illegal occupation of public spaces at Gate, Bodija, and Ojoo markets in Ibadan.

The operation, which was carried out during the official closing hours of yesterday became necessary towards ensuring compliance with the laws regulating trading activities, the use of roads, walkways and other public spaces in the state.

The enforcement followed observations that many traders still display and sell goods on roads, walkways, drainage channels, and road setbacks, despite the provision of adequate market facilities by the Oyo State Government.

The Authority expressed concern over the continued disregard for designated trading spaces, noting that government-provided markets were meant to enable legitimate business without encroaching on roads and public spaces.

During the exercise, the Authority impounded substantial quantities of goods, both perishable and non-perishable, from locations where trading violated the law.

OYRLEA stressed that the exercise was not to frustrate legitimate business owners , but ensuring that traders operate within legal boundaries while safeguarding the rights of motorists, pedestrians, and the general public.

Consequently, the Authority called on market men and women to desist from trading on roads, walkways, drainage channels, and setbacks, and to utilize the designated spaces provided for commercial activities.

OYRLEA further warned that enforcement would be sustained across the affected markets and other parts of the state until there is significant compliance with Oyo State laws.

The Authority urged traders and members of the public to cooperate with enforcement personnel, adding that maintaining orderly markets and accessible public spaces remains a collective responsibility.

E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade
Hon. Commissioner for Information,
Oyo State.

The Oyo State Government has renewed its commitment to strengthening the industrial sector through sustained engagement with industries, improved workers’ welfare, regulatory compliance and measures aimed at creating a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Adelabu, stated this on Thursday during a routine visitation to selected industries in the State, including Sumal Foods Limited, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Zartech Limited, Polyfilm packaging Nigeria limited and Nisalee Industries Limited.

Professor Adelabu explained that the exercise was part of the Ministry’s continuous engagement with industries to review developments, follow up on previous observations, understand emerging challenges and strengthen collaboration between Government and the private sector.

He stressed that the visitation was not intended to witch-hunt industries, but to add value to their operations, provide necessary guidance and ensure that the interests of workers, businesses, consumers and the wider society are protected.

The Commissioner said the Ministry had reviewed reports from previous visits to ascertain the extent to which issues earlier identified, particularly those relating to workers’ welfare and workplace facilities, had been addressed.

He commended the industries for their contributions to employment generation and economic development, noting that businesses that employ large numbers of people contribute significantly to reducing unemployment and creating productive opportunities for residents.

Professor Adelabu also disclosed that the Ministry was working on a proposed State Trade Policy, to be jointly facilitated and developed by relevant State and Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as identified critical private-sector organisations.

He explained that the initiative was among the measures being pursued by the Government to create a stronger framework for trade and business development in the State and to ensure that the realities and needs of industries and other stakeholders are adequately captured in Government policy.

The Commissioner urged industries to maintain close communication with the Ministry, describing it as their mother ministry, so that their genuine challenges and areas requiring Government intervention could be properly documented and presented to the Executive Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde, for consideration in policy and budget decisions.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry and Cooperatives, Honourable Adeyemo Emmanuel, said the visitation reflected the administration’s determination to maintain direct engagement with the industrial sector and understand the conditions under which businesses operate.

He noted that such engagements would help the Government identify practical areas where industries require support, while also encouraging companies to sustain responsible industrial practices that contribute to employment, workers’ welfare and the development of their host communities.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Export Promotion, Honourable Kolawole Ojo Ayoola, said the visitation was important in giving Government a clearer understanding of the realities within the State’s industrial sector.

He noted that direct interaction with industry operators provides an opportunity for the Government to receive first-hand information on their operations, concerns and areas where further collaboration may be required, adding that such engagements would help strengthen communication between the government and the private sector.

The Commissioner assured them that their concerns would be documented and considered through the appropriate government channels, stressing the importance of continuous dialogue between government and the private sector in addressing challenges affecting industrial operations.

During the visits, management and workers of the companies interacted with the delegation and highlighted measures put in place to improve staff welfare, including health facilities, insurance arrangements, contributory pension schemes and other workplace amenities.

The companies also highlighted their corporate social responsibility initiatives in their host communities, including road maintenance, support for electricity infrastructure, provision of community facilities and fire-fighting assistance.

Some of the industrialists, however, appealed to the State Government for continued intervention in areas such as multiple taxation, road infrastructure, electricity, gas supply and timely waste disposal, noting that these challenges increase their operating costs.

The industrial visitation is an ongoing exercise, with other industries across Oyo State to be visited subsequently as the exercise progresses.

The continued engagement is expected to strengthen government-industry relations, improve the documentation of industrial activities and challenges, promote workers’ welfare and support the State Government’s efforts to create a more conducive environment for industrial growth, trade and investment.

The visitation, led by Professor Adelabu, included the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry and Cooperatives; Honourable Adeyemo Emmanuel; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Export Promotion, Honourable Kolawole Ojo Ayoola and representative of the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters; Ministry of Information delegate and the management team of the Ministry.

*E-Signed:
Prince Dotun Oyelade,
Hon.Commissioner for Information,
Oyo State.

…Targets improved food production, resilience to climate change, reduced post-harvest losses

The Oyo State Government has commenced the training of 880 farmers and agricultural extension officers drawn from the various geopolitical zones of the State on Climate-Smart Agriculture, as part of efforts to boost food production, enhance resilience to climate change and reduce post-harvest losses.

The training, which commenced on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the Fertilizer Store, Oyo, is being implemented under the 2025 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP), through the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, which seeks to improve the ease of doing business and create more business opportunities in the State.

Declaring the training open, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, described Climate-Smart Agriculture as critical to the future of food production, the economy and society, particularly in the face of climate change, soil degradation, unpredictable weather patterns and a growing population.

The Commissioner noted that with the global population projected to approach 10 billion by 2050, there was an urgent need to produce more food with fewer resources, stressing that traditional farming methods alone might not be sufficient to meet the increasing demand for food. According to him, Climate-Smart Agriculture involves the application of modern technologies, innovation and scientific knowledge to improve farming efficiency, productivity and sustainability while protecting the environment.

Olaleye explained that technologies such as satellite monitoring, sensors, mobile applications, artificial intelligence, drones, automated irrigation systems and data analytics could help farmers monitor crop health, manage soil fertility, control pests and optimise the use of water and other agricultural inputs.

He added that the adoption of smart agricultural practices would enable farmers to apply fertilisers and pesticides more efficiently, reduce waste and production costs, increase profitability and minimise environmental pollution.

Olaleye stressed that the adoption of modern agricultural technologies would help transform farming from a largely labour-intensive activity into a technology-driven sector, while creating opportunities for young people and generating new jobs in agricultural technology.

He, however, emphasised that achieving a successful transition to smart agriculture required strong collaboration among Government, research institutions, private sector partners, extension personnel and farmers.

He called for continuous investment in rural infrastructure, supportive policies, access to digital technology, agricultural education and training, as well as financial support for smallholder farmers.

Olaleye assured that the State Government would ensure that farmers were adequately equipped with the knowledge and tools required to participate in the transformation, stressing that “no farmer should be left behind.”

The Commissioner urged participants to take full advantage of the training and apply the knowledge gained to improve agricultural production and extension services across the State. He emphasised that Climate-Smart Agriculture was not merely about technology but about building a resilient, sustainable and profitable agricultural sector capable of feeding the growing population while preserving natural resources for future generations.

Olaleye said, “The future of agriculture lies not only in the soil but also in innovation, technology and collaboration,” adding that effective deployment of modern agricultural tools would create a thriving agricultural sector that benefits farmers, consumers and the entire nation.

In his remarks, the SABER Focal Person, Mr. Kilanko Olayemi, who spoke through Mr. Roland Adekunle, said the project would train 880 participants across the geopolitical zones in the State. He noted that the initiative was designed to reduce post-harvest losses in the agricultural sector.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), the AFAN Zonal Coordinator, Oyo, Mr. Debo Fakayode, commended the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde for its commitment to building a vibrant and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in the State, noting that the training for extension personnel and selected farmers across the State was another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to improving food security and strengthening the agricultural sector.

E-signed:

Prince Dotun Oyelade,

Commissioner for Information,

Oyo State.