In a clear showcase of open and participatory democracy, the Lagelu Local Government in Oyo State on Friday hosted the Ibadan Less City Stakeholders’ Consultative & Engagement Meeting for the 2026 Oyo State Budget.
This landmark event which brought together representatives from the six local government areas that made up the less city: Akinyele, Egbeda, Ido, Lagelu, Oluyole, and Ona-Ara—underscored Makinde’s Oyo’s bold experiment in grassroots governance, offering a model that resonates far beyond its borders.
Under Governor Seyi Makinde’s visionary leadership, this gathering, the seventh in a statewide series, amplified the voices of ordinary citizens, weaving their aspirations into the state’s fiscal roadmap.
Held under the aegis of the Oyo State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the meeting drew a diverse coalition of stakeholders, reflecting the rich tapestry of Ibadan Less City’s communities.
Market women, their voices honed by years of trade, demanded improved roads to unlock economic potential.
Artisans called for vocational training centers to empower a new generation. Persons with disabilities (PWDs) advocated for accessible infrastructure, emphasizing equity as a cornerstone of progress.
Community Development Committees (CDCs), religious leaders, and traditional rulers outlined visions for cohesive growth, while youth and women’s councils pushed for maternal health programs, and greater economic empowerment initiatives.
Farmers, the backbone of Oyo’s agrarian economy, pressed for irrigation systems and climate-resilient support.
Lagelu LGA Chairman, Hon. Mudashiru Kamorudeen hailed the event as a “global beacon of participatory governance.”
The event aligns with parallel consultations across Oyo’s zones, from Oke-Ogun to Ogbomoso, cementing the state’s reputation as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s federal landscape. The dialogue pulsed with urgency, as stakeholders built on Makinde’s transformative record—modernized airports, rural arteries, and pension reforms that have set national benchmarks.
Yet, they pressed for more: rehabilitated hinterland roads; expanded safety nets for women and youths among others. These demands, rooted in lived realities, highlight Oyo’s commitment to transparency and accountability, qualities that have drawn international attention as African democracies seek sustainable governance models.
In attendance at the event were top political functionaries that included; Hon. Akintunde Olajide Emmanuel, Chairman-Oyo House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs who represented the state governor; the state commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Mr. T.J. Ayanleke, Permanent Secretary (PS) for the state Ministry of Budget and economic Planning; and Chairmen of the six local government areas of Ibadan Less City and their representatives.
