Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, institutional reform, and people-centred governance, with renewed assurances to civil servants across the state.
Oyebanji said his government would continue to invest in the modernization of physical infrastructure to ensure that public servants operate in safe, comfortable, and efficient environments that promote optimal performance and improved service delivery.
The governor made the remarks on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State in southwestern Nigeria, during the inauguration of a newly completed office complex for the Ministry of Local Government Affairs at the State Secretariat. He was represented at the event by the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Monisade Afuye.
Okay News reports that the Ministry of Local Government Affairs had, since its establishment in 2005, operated from an aging structure within the old Governor’s Office complex, a situation that posed operational and space-related challenges for staff.
Expressing satisfaction with the completion of the new facility, Oyebanji said the project was a necessary investment rather than an indulgence.
“We understand clearly that an institution charged with coordinating local government administration must operate in an environment that reflects efficiency, order and dignity. Therefore, this structure is a necessity and not a luxury,” the governor said.
He described the project as a major transformation, highlighting the presence of modern office spaces designed to meet expanding responsibilities, upgraded information and communications technology systems, well-equipped conference and meeting rooms, improved records management facilities, and healthier working conditions.
According to him, “This complex and the modern facilities therein will enable officers in the Ministry to plan better, coordinate better, supervise better and ultimately serve our people at the grassroots better. By upgrading the capacity of this Ministry, we are strengthening the backbone of grassroots administration across Ekiti State.”
The governor also stressed that his administration had intensified training programs for civil servants and remained committed to their welfare as a strategic approach to promoting excellence in public service.
“We will continue to provide all necessary incentives that can make the civil service the real engine room of governance. This is consistent with our agenda for inclusive development, institutional reform and people-centred governance,” he assured.
Oyebanji acknowledged the difficult conditions under which staff of the ministry previously worked, noting that inadequate office space and deteriorating infrastructure had made service delivery challenging. He commended the workers for their resilience and dedication despite those constraints.
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Folorunso Olabode, described the newly inaugurated complex as tangible evidence of the administration’s drive to improve efficiency within the civil service.
He said the need for a befitting office complex for the ministry had been a long-standing concern, adding, “Today, that long-cherished dream has been fulfilled. This milestone marks a turning point for the Ministry, as it provides a modern, functional and dignified working environment that will boost staff morale and enhance productivity.”
Olabode further explained that the complex comprises thirty-four fully furnished offices capable of accommodating at least one hundred and twenty personnel, all fitted with quality furniture and modern electronic facilities to support seamless government operations.
He added that the facility also includes fourteen additional offices at the rear, a fully air-conditioned mini conference hall with a seating capacity of two hundred people, spacious conveniences, a large car park, a secured perimeter fence and gate, an independent borehole, and a four thousand-litre water storage system to guarantee constant water supply.
Speaking at the event, the Ekiti State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Olusegun Ojo, praised the governor for strengthening local government administration through improved financial autonomy and a strong commitment against abandoned projects.
Ojo said local government leaders would continue to collaborate with the state government to rejuvenate grassroots governance and combat poverty and neglect at the third tier of government.
The Head of Service of Ekiti State, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, described the project as “an architectural masterpiece that befits the civil service and that can help engender staff effectiveness and enhance productivity,” while commending the administration’s focus on workers’ welfare.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Commissioner for Rural Development, Femi Awe; the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; traditional rulers such as the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti State Traditional Council, Oba Adejimi Adu-Alagbado; the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; senior civil servants, and other stakeholders.
