AIYEDATIWA’S 18-MONTH SCORECARD: ONDO GOVERNMENT HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS ACROSS KEY SECTORS

ONDO GOVERNMENT HIGHLIGHTS PROGRESS ACROSS KEY SECTORS

The Ondo State Government has highlighted projects and policy interventions implemented across various sectors during the first 18 months of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration, describing the period as one focused on improving living conditions, supporting businesses and strengthening public service delivery.

The government presented the scorecard during an interactive session with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Alagbaka, Akure. The address was delivered by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, on August 28, 2026.

According to the Chief Press Secretary, Governor Aiyedatiwa, who assumed office on February 24, 2025, anchored his administration on the “OUR EASE” agenda, which focuses on ease of living, ease of doing business and ease of governance.

Adeniyan said the administration’s interventions had covered infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, security, youth and women empowerment, workers’ welfare and public service reforms.

He also attributed several of the government’s programmes to what he described as prudent financial management, noting that the state had recorded a significant reduction in its domestic debt profile while also clearing inherited salary arrears and outstanding obligations to pensioners.

HEALTHCARE

The government said healthcare remains a major priority of the administration, with measures introduced to improve the welfare of health workers, expand health insurance coverage and upgrade medical infrastructure across the state.

According to the government, more than 2,000 health professionals have been recruited, while Ondo became the first state in the South-West to implement enhanced CONMESS and CONHESS allowances for health workers.

The State Executive Council also approved a ₦1 billion hospital intervention fund to support the expansion and modernisation of healthcare facilities.

The government said upgrade projects involving 100-bed capacities are ongoing at hospitals in Ikare-Akoko, Ore and Okitipupa, while 50-bed capacity improvements are being undertaken at facilities in Irele and Igbokoda.

More than 100 primary healthcare centres have also reportedly been renovated during the period under review.

At the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo, the government said modern diagnostic and medical equipment, including a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, 160-slice CT scanner, 3D digital mammography equipment, 4D ultrasound machines and digital X-ray machines, have been provided.

The government also said a pharmaceutical-grade warehouse in Akure has been completed to strengthen the supply and storage of medicines.

The Orange Health Insurance Scheme, known as ORANGHIS, has equally been expanded to include public servants, informal-sector workers, retirees and pensioners, with the government stating that coverage for retirees and pensioners is provided at no cost.

The administration further cited recent health indicators and recognition received by the governor as evidence of progress in the sector.

ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

The government said more than 200 kilometres of roads have been completed within the first 18 months of the administration, while a 90-kilometre statewide road rehabilitation programme is ongoing.

Under the programme, five kilometres of road rehabilitation has been allocated to each of the state’s 18 local government areas.

The administration also recently flagged off the construction of the new Akure Flyover Bridge along the Oyemekun-Oba Adesida Road, a project intended to address traffic congestion and improve movement within the state capital.

The government said major roads in Akure, Ondo, Owo, Ikare and Ore have also undergone rehabilitation, with drainage improvements and solar streetlights incorporated into some of the projects.

Three major intercity dualisation projects are currently being undertaken in different senatorial districts. They include the Akungba-Ikare Akoko corridor in the northern district, Akure-Idanre in the central district and Okitipupa-Igbokoda in the southern district.

The administration also completed and commissioned the inherited Onyearugbulem-Irese Road flyover project in Akure.

Through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) and state-funded initiatives, the government said several rural roads connecting farming communities to markets have been constructed or upgraded.

The administration also reported ongoing improvements to public buildings and the construction of concrete jetties and walkways in riverine communities to ease transportation.

EDUCATION

In education, the administration said its interventions have focused on teacher recruitment, school infrastructure, student support, technical and vocational education and digital learning.

According to the government, more than 2,000 teachers have been recruited, comprising 1,010 teachers for public secondary schools and 1,100 for primary schools.

The administration has also revived the free school shuttle programme, with buses and boats being used to transport pupils to and from schools in designated areas.

Scholarships and bursaries for students in tertiary institutions have continued, while the state government has also paid the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) examination fees for students in public secondary schools.

The government said educational materials, including books, tablets and sports equipment, have also been distributed to public primary and junior secondary schools across the 18 local government areas.

The administration recently approved a 60 per cent increase in subventions to tertiary institutions in the state and approved the salary agreement between the Federal Government and university staff unions.

It also reported clearing inherited salary arrears owed to workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, while committing more than ₦1 billion to the construction of a new Senate Building at the University of Medical Sciences.

URBAN RENEWAL AND WATER SUPPLY

The government said its urban renewal programme is aimed at improving public spaces, infrastructure, water supply and the general appearance of major towns and cities.

One of the projects highlighted is the rehabilitation and upgrade of Fasoranti Park in Akure, including landscaping, walkways, lighting and other supporting facilities.

The administration has also continued its Light-Up programme, with the government reporting that approximately 5,000 complete solar streetlight units have been installed across major roads and communities.

The Akure Water Supply and Sanitation Project is another major intervention highlighted by the government. The project forms part of the $223 million Nigeria Urban Water Sector Reform Programme and involves rehabilitation of waterworks, expansion of distribution networks and improvements to sanitation infrastructure.

The administration also said it had renewed attention on the Owena Dam project, with new water pipelines being laid in parts of the state.

Under the Omi Irorun Water Scheme, the government said more than 50 boreholes have been provided to rural communities.

POWER SUPPLY

Power supply is another area covered under the OUR EASE agenda.

The government said it was pursuing a combination of regulatory reforms, alternative energy initiatives, metering and infrastructure development as part of efforts to improve electricity access and reliability.

Programmes highlighted include the Light-Up initiative, Lucky Light Solar Programme and O'Datiwa Mass Metering Programme.

The state has also established a regulatory framework for the electricity sector as it works towards greater participation in electricity generation and distribution.

The State Executive Council recently approved a US$1.6 million, 350-kilowatt hydropower project and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine intended to provide electricity to government facilities.

The administration has also commenced the distribution of transformers to communities as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply.

AGRICULTURE

The Aiyedatiwa administration said agriculture remains central to its food security, employment and economic development strategy.

The government said more than ₦10 billion has been committed to agricultural development, while interventions have focused on opening up farmland, supporting farmers, developing value chains and attracting private investment.

More than 500 young people have reportedly been trained and supported in modern agricultural practices.

The governor recently inaugurated the Ondo State Cocoa Revolution and Management Board, while the State Strategic Committee on compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation was also established.

The government said 14,000 smallholder cocoa and oil palm farmers have been profiled under the FAO GEF-7 programme across eight local government areas.

It also cited grain distribution and other interventions through the Ondo State Agricultural Commodity Association (OSACA) as part of efforts to support farmers and address food-related economic pressures.

INDUSTRIALISATION AND INVESTMENT

The administration said it is working to position Ondo State as an investment destination by pursuing projects in infrastructure, manufacturing, agro-processing and other sectors.

Among the projects highlighted are the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port, refinery, Free Trade Zone and fertiliser plant.

The government also said its investment policies have contributed to renewed interest from major companies, including the Dangote Group, which it said plans to establish a major industrial zone in the state.

Several Public-Private Partnership initiatives aimed at reviving moribund industries are also being pursued.

The government further reported that Memoranda of Understanding have been signed with investors in areas including infrastructure, refinery development, the Ilaje Free Trade Zone and petrochemical, fertiliser and cement production.

One of the agreements cited involves a proposed US$50 billion investment involving Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited and Sunshine Infrastructure JV, while another proposal involves a 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery and a 1,471-hectare Free Trade Zone in Ilaje.

EMPLOYMENT, YOUTH AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The government said employment creation has been pursued through recruitment into the public sector, skills development and initiatives designed to support private-sector employment.

According to the administration, more than 6,000 workers have been recruited into sectors including education, healthcare, security and agriculture since Governor Aiyedatiwa assumed office.

The government also highlighted the O'Datiwa Skill-Up a Woman Initiative, through which 1,000 women were trained in areas such as tailoring, catering and information and communication technology, with start-up kits provided to beneficiaries.

The One Youth, One Skill Programme has also provided vocational training to young people, while the administration said selected young entrepreneurs have received government support.

The Ondo Ease Fund has equally provided interest-free loans and grants to market women, artisans and small business owners.

WORKERS' WELFARE

The administration said it has prioritised regular payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

According to the government, civil servants now receive their monthly salaries on or before the 25th of each month.

The administration said it has cleared inherited salary arrears owed to civil servants as well as outstanding salary obligations to former political appointees who served during the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko between 2009 and 2017.

The government also reported that pensioners receive their monthly pensions alongside the payment of workers' salaries, while monthly provisions are being made towards the settlement of outstanding gratuities.

According to the administration, about 10 years of outstanding gratuities have been cleared under the current arrangement.

Other measures highlighted include the payment and upward review of hazard allowance for health workers, salary and entry-point reviews for medical doctors, and the extension of the service period for tutors from 35 to 40 years and the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

The government also said the workers' Contributory Health Insurance Scheme has been fully implemented.

SECURITY

The administration said it has adopted a multi-agency approach to security, with particular attention to strengthening the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun.

According to the government, the corps has received additional personnel, improved welfare and operational support, alongside stronger collaboration with other security agencies.

More than 100 operational vehicles have reportedly been distributed to security agencies to strengthen surveillance and response capabilities across identified security flashpoints.

The government also said 500 additional personnel have been recruited into the Amotekun Corps and that a modern Command and Control Centre has been established and equipped.

The administration described the security situation in Ondo State as relatively stable, while acknowledging the importance of continued efforts to maintain peace and protect residents and businesses.

CONCLUSION

The Ondo State Government said the projects and programmes highlighted in the 18-month scorecard represent ongoing efforts to implement the OUR EASE agenda and improve service delivery across the state.

With several projects completed and others still under construction or at planning stages, the administration said it would continue to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education, economic development, security, workers' welfare and social interventions.

The government said its priority remains the delivery of projects and policies intended to improve living conditions, strengthen the state economy and create a more conducive environment for residents, businesses and investors.

The scorecard was presented by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, during an interactive session with journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Akure on August 28, 2026.