By Ismail Azeez
The Oyo State Executive Council has authorized the release of N900 million in counterpart funding to facilitate the construction and rehabilitation of 68 kilometers of roads across the state.
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that this strategic financial commitment is designed to unlock approximately N16.7 billion in additional funding from the International Development Association and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
The infrastructural intervention focuses heavily on supporting agricultural hubs and rural connectivity. Key projects highlighted in the approval include the rehabilitation of the 8.43km Fashola Farm Settlement road, the 37km stretch spanning Alako, Idi-Iya, Batake, Olowa Farm Settlement, and Ijaye, as well as the 22km Oloko-Oyo Junction to Ikere Dam road.
Beyond road infrastructure, the council approved N2.6 billion for the 2026 operational and maintenance costs of the “Light-Up Oyo” initiative.
This expenditure covers the continued expansion and upkeep of street lighting infrastructure, which has now transitioned beyond the Ibadan metropolis into other zones of the state.
The state government also announced an upward review of the contract for the Oyo State Business Process Automation (BPA) project. Initially valued at N400 million, the contract has been adjusted to N578 million to reflect current economic realities.
According to Oyelade, the BPA project remains a priority for the administration as it seeks to modernize civil service operations, enhance digital record management, and ensure greater accountability across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).