Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday swore in Professor Musibau Babatunde as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG), assuring that his administration would end its tenure strongly by delivering on good governance and sustainable development.
Makinde administered the oath of office to Babatunde in Ibadan, stating that the appointment was based on competence and experience, not on religion or geopolitical considerations.
The governor described the new SSG, a Professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan, as a long-time associate who understands the workings of government, noting that Babatunde had been with him for years and played key roles even before he assumed office in 2019.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju.
Makinde recalled that Babatunde led the team that designed the Oyo State Roadmap for Accelerated Development (2019–2023), despite not having any political ambition at the time, describing him as one of the few individuals who believed in his political vision from the onset.
Addressing speculations surrounding the removal of the immediate past SSG, Olanike Adeyemo, the governor said her disengagement was a routine decision and not because of any wrongdoing on her part.
According to him, governance requires different capacities at different stages, likening the cabinet reshuffle to farming, where planters are needed at the beginning and harvesters at the end.
He charged the new SSG to use his experience to ensure smooth coordination of government activities, foster unity within the executive team and avoid distractions that could derail the administration’s mandate.
Makinde also spoke on succession, stating that his administration would present a proposal to the people of the state on how to sustain its developmental trajectory beyond his tenure.
“We will put a proposal to the people of the state on how to continue on this trajectory. If they don’t like it, they can tell us they want a different trajectory,” he said.
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Speaking after his swearing-in, Babatunde pledged to ensure efficient and effective service delivery through improved coordination of government activities.
He assured residents that the government would adopt a more coordinated approach to policy implementation, with emphasis on delivering tangible outcomes that would positively impact citizens.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governor, Hamid Gbadamosi; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by Mohammed Fadeyi; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima; former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu; former Chief Judge, Justice Bolajoko Adeniji (retd); and several traditional rulers, including the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye.
Other dignitaries present included the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Kazeem Adeniyi; leaders of the state Elders Council, Saka Balogun and Wole Oyelese; PDP South-West Chairman, Kamorudeen Ajisafe; PDP State Chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro, and other top government functionaries.