Makinde swears in four Oyo permanent secretaries, citing merit

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has sworn in four newly appointed permanent secretaries into the state civil service while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to merit, fairness and inclusiveness in public service appointments.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan, where the governor revealed that the appointments followed a rigorous selection process designed to strengthen civil service leadership.

Explaining the criteria used, Makinde stated that 80 per cent of the appointments were based strictly on merit, whilst the remaining 20 per cent was reserved to ensure fair regional balancing and representation across the state.

Reflecting on his tenure, the governor recalled that no permanent secretary hailed from the Ibarapa Zone when he assumed office in 2019, prompt steps having since been taken to ensure no zone is left behind in managing the state’s shared resources.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor pledged to remain focused on delivering core public services rather than allowing upcoming political campaigns for the 2027 elections to divert his administration’s attention.

Addressing the newly appointed officials directly, Makinde urged them to uphold their oaths of office through diligence, integrity and professionalism, ensuring that all administrative decisions reflect justice and strict accountability.

The governor further announced plans to hold another competitive qualifying examination before his tenure ends, promising that his administration will be remembered for appointing the highest number of permanent secretaries through transparent testing.

The high-profile event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, Secretary to the State Government Musibau Babatunde and Head of Service Adenike Fashina alongside other key leaders and stakeholders.