As Oyo State marks another milestone in governance, one decision looms large over the minds of concerned citizens: the recent approval of ₦63.48 billion for the “renovation and redevelopment” of the Government House in Agodi, Ibadan. This staggering figure has sparked public outrage, particularly when compared against the backdrop of life-threatening floods, bad roads, underfunded schools, and ill-equipped primary healthcare facilities across the state. This is not even about emotions; it’s about the lives of ordinary Oyo indigenes, which is why it is important to break down why this amount is excessive, even when inflation and economic realities are considered.
Let’s put this into perspective. In 2005, the Rivers State Government built a brand-new Government House complex for ₦4.2 billion. If we adjust that 2005 amount for Nigeria’s average annual inflation rate of 12.5%, that same project would cost approximately ₦44.29 billion in 2025. Think about that: ₦44.29 billion for a complete new build.
Yet, Oyo State is committing almost ₦20 billion more than this inflation-adjusted figure, just to renovate and upgrade an existing facility. Even accounting for naira depreciation and forex volatility, ₦63.4 billion is incredibly difficult to justify in any economy, let alone one grappling with rampant poverty, unemployment, and decaying infrastructure.
Here’s another alarming fact: Oyo State generated ₦65.28 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the entire 2024 fiscal year. This means that the cost of this single renovation project is almost equivalent to the state’s entire yearly IGR. Simply put, the revenue generated by the good people of Oyo State, with hopes that it might be used in bettering their lives and future but was used in renovating an existing government house.
Some might argue that government projects aren’t always funded solely by IGR, and rightly so. However, when a single project, focused on aesthetics and luxury, consumes the symbolic equivalent of the state’s entire local revenue, it raises serious questions about fiscal discipline and moral priorities. This is about the billions as set to be wasted, as well as an indicator of what we value as a state. Little wonder he’s on his way to rename a Legacy institution like The Polytechnic, Ibadan, without considering its long-term implications.
Governor Seyi Makinde has defended the price tag by citing exchange rate fluctuations and the fact that many materials and services are dollar-denominated. This begs the question of why he then set out on an overbloated budget if he was really concerned about inflation. This is simply a case of unrestricted, unchecked, unrestrained public spending. There’s a critical difference between legitimate cost escalation due to economic conditions and the deliberate choice to pursue a luxury-scale renovation amidst widespread socio-economic challenges. Is this truly a necessity, a desire for opulence, or a retirement plan for 2027?
To truly grasp the gravity of ₦63.4 billion, consider what else that immense sum could fund, directly impacting the lives of ordinary citizens: Over 2,000 boreholes across rural communities, Renovation of 100 public schools, Construction and rehabilitation of State road networks and fully equipping primary healthcare centers with equipments and not just painting it.
Instead, we are seemingly choosing luxury over livelihood, optics over impact, and state symbolism over citizens’ safety.
Gov. Seyi Makinde’s supporters might argue that the renovation is symbolic, and important to renovate a government house which largely consists of bungalows to celebrate Oyo State’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2026. But symbols are supposed to inspire and not alienate. If sustainability is the hallmark of governance, why is he sacrificing the future of the good people of Oyo State on the ALtar of renovating buildings he has not used in 6 years out of his 8 years in office ?The people of Ibadan and beyond don’t need a helipad, banquet hall, or ornamental landscaping to feel proud. What we desperately need are our roads fixed, our drains cleared, our hospitals stocked, and our schools empowered. A state’s greatness is not measured by the opulence of its Government House, but by the dignity and well-being of its people.
Ironically, the governor currently resides in his private home, reportedly because the Government House is in poor shape. This alone suggests a practical, cost-effective solution: renovate to functional standards, not luxury standards. No one is against renovation, but extravagance under economic hardship is a betrayal of public trust.
Oyo State, like much of Nigeria, is in a fragile economic state. Every naira spent should reflect a needs-based, people-first approach. At a time when thousands of families are being affected by floods in Oyo State, when unemployment among youth is rising, and when communities are crying for basic amenities, spending ₦63.4 billion on a Government House renovation is not only tone-deaf; it’s irresponsible.
Leadership must balance prestige with prudence, and symbolism with substance. And in this case, the balance has tipped in the wrong direction.