HE Seyi Makinde reflects on finding time for reading amid the demands of office, while reporting cabinet changes, Oyo State’s agribusiness engagement at the World Union of Wholesale Markets conference and approval of ₦4.5 billion in support for victims of the 2024 Bodija explosion.
Two years into his second term, HE Seyi Makinde frames the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road and Ibadan airport upgrade as long-term economic infrastructure and argues that sustainable development requires systems and private-sector partnerships capable of surviving the administration that created them.
As Fasola attracts international attention, HE Seyi Makinde openly assesses shortcomings in Oyo State’s agribusiness interventions — including a 5% success rate in one farmer-support programme and delays at Fasola — arguing that failed assumptions should be identified, learned from and corrected as the model expands.
Following the death of his eldest brother, Sunday Olufunmilayo Makinde, HE Seyi Makinde reflects on their relationship and credits him with broadening his horizons, modelling hard work and honesty and influencing his early ambition to obtain a degree before joining the military.
Beginning 2025, HE Seyi Makinde sets timelines for the Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road and Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport upgrade, while shifting emphasis towards policies, human-capital development and civil-service reform, including the appointment of over 40 Permanent Secretaries.
After 18 months of sensitisation, HE Seyi Makinde announces enforcement of existing traffic, waste-management and street-trading laws under the Rule of Law Authority, while updating readers on ₦1.5 billion in agribusiness enterprise support and talks with the Nigerian Railway Corporation on a proposed Ibadan intra-city rail service.
Marking four years and 100 editions of the newsletter, HE Seyi Makinde describes the platform as an accountability mechanism, saying questions from readers have caused him to scrutinise government decisions and consider more efficient, people-friendly approaches.
HE Seyi Makinde links legacy to institution-building, highlighting a review of Oyo State’s Public Service Rules and new facilities for local-government institutions, and argues that durable systems rather than individual officeholders should sustain government beyond his tenure.
Using a family game of pickleball to illustrate strategy and collaboration, HE Seyi Makinde explains why his administration prioritised major roads connecting Oyo State’s five zones before feeder roads and argues that anticipating future conditions is central to sustainable governance.
Responding to questions about the Ibadan Airport upgrade, HE Seyi Makinde explains Oyo State’s private-sector-driven, public-sector-supported development model: government invests in enabling infrastructure while businesses drive growth, citing Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub and private tractor leasing as examples.
