As Oyo State charts a path toward sustainable development, Barr. Akeem Adedeji Agbaje, 2027 gubernatorial aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has placed the reform of Local Governments at the heart of his vision for inclusive economic growth.
He emphasized that Local Governments, being the closest tier of administration to the people, hold the greatest potential to unlock prosperity at the grassroots, yet decades of neglect and interference have denied them the opportunity to function at their full capacity.
Speaking during a policy engagement with community leaders, market stakeholders, and local development advocates, Barr. Agbaje described Local Governments as the foundation of Oyo’s economy and the first line of government support to rural and urban communities alike.
“The Local Government is not just the third tier of government, it is the lifeblood of our grassroots economy. If we empower our councils, we empower our people.”
He lamented the structural weaknesses that have long undermined the effectiveness of Local Governments. Most councils, he noted, are overdependent on monthly federal allocations, with no financial autonomy to plan, innovate, or respond to local challenges. Political interference through caretaker arrangements, combined with outdated revenue systems and high recurrent costs, has further limited their ability to deliver meaningful development. This has left feeder roads in disrepair, markets poorly managed, and primary healthcare and sanitation services struggling to meet the needs of the people.
To underscore this, he pointed to history when Local Governments once operated as Native Authorities (NAs), efficient administrative units that provided viable governance structures with strong financial autonomy. Unlike today’s councils that depend heavily on monthly allocations, the NAs controlled lucrative revenue sources such as community taxes, rates, licenses, and market fees. They collected and retained revenue within their localities, ensuring a direct link between revenue generation and service delivery.
These Native Authorities were deeply committed to development. They built and maintained local roads, drains, and markets; established and funded primary schools and adult education centers; ran dispensaries and maternity centers; and provided agricultural extension services to farmers. A striking example was the Ibadan Native Authority, renowned for its efficiency and accountability. It delivered landmark projects such as the construction of Mapo Hall in 1929, the establishment of the Ibadan Water Supply Scheme, and the building of early primary schools and health centers across districts.
Barr. Agbaje stressed that reform today must go beyond token interventions and instead focus on granting Local Governments genuine autonomy, strengthening their financial base, and modernizing their operations. He called for the adoption of digital revenue systems to curb leakages and expand internally generated income, alongside innovative public-private partnerships to revitalize markets, motor parks, and waste management systems. He also emphasized capacity building, noting that councils must be staffed with well-trained professionals who can manage resources effectively and plan for growth.
According to him, the strength of Local Governments lies in their proximity to the people, their deep knowledge of community realities, and their unique ability to drive small-scale enterprises and agriculture.
In Oke-Ogun, councils could serve as the backbone of agricultural value chains, while in Ibadan and Ogbomoso, they could modernize the vibrant network of markets that sustain commerce and employment. Harnessing these local advantages, he argued, will be central to building an economy that leaves no community behind.
“Oyo State cannot achieve sustainable progress while its grassroots institutions remain weak. We must give our Local Governments the tools, the resources, and the independence to serve the people. That is how we build a stronger and more prosperous Oyo.”
Barr. Akeem Adedeji Agbaje concluded that the future of Oyo’s development rests on revitalizing its councils. By unlocking the potential of Local Governments, he affirmed, the state will not only strengthen its economy but also restore trust in governance where it matters most — at the grassroots.
