Ekiti at 30: Oyebanji Unveils 30-Year Plan to Transform State

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has unveiled a 30-year transformation agenda aimed at repositioning the state as a major hub for agriculture, technology, education, tourism, commerce and youth entrepreneurship.

Oyebanji unveiled the plan on Thursday during a statewide broadcast marking the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State and Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The governor said the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the state while reflecting on the challenges encountered since its creation on October 1, 1996.

Ekiti was among six states created by the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, alongside Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Gombe, Nasarawa and Zamfara states.

The development increased Nigeria’s number of states from 30 to 36.

Oyebanji acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, politicians, lawyers, civil servants, business leaders and community leaders who campaigned for the creation of Ekiti State through the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State.

He specifically commended the committee’s chairman, Chief Oladeji Fasuan; legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; and other traditional rulers who played prominent roles in the struggle.

The governor also paid tribute to past leaders of the state and those who contributed to its development, including former governors and administrators, former deputy governors, and former heads of the legislative and judicial arms of government.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Oyebanji said it was humbling that he had moved from serving as secretary of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State to becoming governor as the state marked its 30th anniversary.

He said the vision of Ekiti’s founding fathers was to establish a state where residents could effectively utilise their human and natural resources to achieve inclusive prosperity.

According to him, the founding vision also included an industrialised Ekiti driven by private-sector investment, enterprise and productivity.

Unveiling the anniversary theme, “Ekiti at 30: Celebrating the Past and Creating the Future,” Oyebanji said his administration had chosen the milestone as the starting point for a 30-year transformation programme.

He said the programme would focus on making Ekiti a leading centre for agricultural production and agro-processing, technology and innovation, education, research, skills development, tourism, culture, the creative economy and youth entrepreneurship.

The governor said the administration would also concentrate on converting the infrastructure developed over the past 30 years into stronger economic activity, quality employment opportunities, higher productivity and improved living standards.

Oyebanji identified the ongoing multi-billion-naira Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) as a key project in the state’s economic transformation strategy.

He described the EKZ as a technology park and economic ecosystem designed to support innovation and the creative potential of young people.

The governor said his administration’s long-term ambition was for Ekiti to move beyond its traditional identity as a civil-service state and become a technology hub and major commercial centre for international trade and commerce.

He also announced that the Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ) would commence soon, saying the project, alongside the EKZ, would help reshape the state’s economy and support the government’s Shared Prosperity Agenda.

Oyebanji urged Ekiti residents to continue supporting the state’s development efforts and called on them to participate actively in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

He specifically urged voters to support President Bola Tinubu, citing what he described as the Federal Government’s support and favourable policies toward Ekiti since 2023.

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