Key Takeaways:
- Governor Biodun Oyebanji inaugurated a new, purpose-built Ministry of Local Government Affairs office in Ado Ekiti to improve service delivery and staff welfare.
- The facility includes 34 rooms for 120 staff, a 200-person conference hall and upgraded ICT and records management systems, supporting Ekiti local government modernisation.
- The state emphasises staff training, welfare and coordination to strengthen grassroots administration and institutional reform.
- Local government leaders pledged partnership to use the upgraded facilities to boost productivity, transparency and delivery at the third tier of government.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji has officially opened a new office for the Ekiti State Ministry of Local Government Affairs in Ado Ekiti, signalling a stepped-up effort to modernise the third tier of government and improve frontline public service delivery.
Ekiti local government modernisation to strengthen grassroots administration
Speaking at the inauguration, the governor, represented by his deputy Chief Monisade Afuye, said the project was intended to provide a conducive work environment for the officials who coordinate local government activities across the state. He described modern office accommodation as essential to efficient administration and dignity for workers who manage services for more than 70 percent of the population.
Oyebanji noted that the previous offices presented many challenges. They suffered from limited space, ageing structures, poor ventilation and fragmented locations that hindered teamwork and effective supervision. The new building, he said, addresses these problems with expanded workspace, improved safety and better facilities for records and meetings.
The governor underlined his administration’s broader commitment to institutional reform and people-centred governance. He said training for staff has been intensified and that his government will continue to provide incentives and resources that make the civil service an effective engine of governance.
“This is a transformation,” he said. “Modern offices, additional workspaces to match expanding responsibilities, upgraded ICT systems, new conference and meeting rooms and improved records management will enable officers to plan, coordinate and serve the grassroots better.”
The state Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode, described the new edifice as evidence of the administration’s focus on strengthening the machinery of local governance. The facility comprises 34 rooms designed to accommodate about 120 workers and includes a compact conference hall with capacity for roughly 200 people.
Olabode said the design prioritised efficiency and accessibility, enabling staff to work in closer coordination and to host meetings that support decision-making and oversight. He also appealed to the ministry’s workers to reciprocate the investment by redoubling their commitment to duty and productivity.
Representatives of local government, including the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria in the state, Hon. Olusegun Ojo, praised the governor for promoting financial autonomy and completing projects that had been neglected in the past. They pledged continued collaboration with the state government to rejuvenate local administration and tackle poverty at the grassroots.
The Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi, hailed the building as an architectural improvement that befits the civil service. She said the upgraded accommodation would contribute to staff effectiveness and morale, and urged civil servants to make the most of the improved environment to enhance public service delivery.
The inauguration forms part of a wider programme by the state to modernise public infrastructure, strengthen institutional capacity and promote inclusive development. Officials said the improvements to the ministry’s headquarters are expected to support better coordination, supervision and responsiveness across Ekiti State’s local governments.
