EXCLUSIVE: Oyo Government Under Makinde Borrows N219billion In Nine Months As Residents Continue Protests

The Oyo State government under Governor Seyi Makinde has borrowed a total of N219billion between January and September 2025, according to a SaharaReporters' review of the state’s official budget performance document.

The document shows that N219.968 billion was borrowed within the period, of which N219.963 billion came from domestic sources.

In contrast, the state recorded only N63billion in internally generated revenue (IGR), according to figures contained in the same report. In the same period between January and September, 2025, a sum of N25 billion was spent on public debt transactions.

Amid its heavy reliance on loans and the resultant increase in debt charges, SaharaReporters earlier reported in June that the Oyo State Executive Council approved the sum of N63,479,858,000 for the overhauling of Government House structures.

According to a statement by the state's Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, the "government house was in an embarrassing state and was an unbefitting facility."

The statement further claimed that for the past six years, the Governor and his deputy have been living in their personal houses instead of their official residences at the Government House.

In this report, SaharaReporters examines the implications of the approved N63.4 billion for the renovation of the Government House.

A review of the Oyo State 2025 approved budget shows that the allocation for the state Ministry of Health stands at N59.4 billion. This means that more would be spent on overhauling the Government House than on providing healthcare for the state's residents in the 2025 fiscal year.

Further analysis reveals that the cost of drilling one borehole was budgeted at N5million by the state. This implies that the N63.4billion could provide no fewer than 12,680 boreholes across the state.

The state also budgeted N2 million for the provision of one toilet facility. This means the amount allocated for the renovation of the Government House could provide 31,700 toilets across the state.

Additionally, the state allocated N822 million for the rehabilitation of twenty health centres. This suggests that N63.4 billion could be used to rehabilitate 1,540 health centres.

Currently, 57% of households across the state are said to lack access to clean drinking water, while another 79% lack access to sanitary facilities, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics in its Multidimensional Poverty Index.

In August, a lawmaker representing Saki West constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly raised the alarm over what he described as the secret approval of a N300billion loan for the state government.

According to Hon. Shittu Ibraheem, the loan was facilitated at the instance of Governor Seyi Makinde. In a statement seen by SaharaReporters, he disclosed that the loan was approved on August 19 and perfected on August 26, 2025.

Ibraheem, however, distanced himself from the process.

While the government continues to accumulate debt, SaharaReporters had earlier reported the growing hardship faced by residents of the state.

On Monday, residents and members of the African Action Congress (AAC) took to the streets of Ibadan to protest what they described as Governor Makinde’s renewed attempt to grab more land under the guise of expanding the Ibadan Circular Road project.

The demonstrators, wielding placards and chanting anti-government songs, accused the governor of seeking to seize an additional 500 metres of land on both sides of the corridor — beyond the 150 metres already taken.

One of the protesters told SaharReporters:
“The reason why people are out this morning is that Makinde is planning to grab more 500 metres on the corridor. To add to the initial 150 metres he had initially grabbed. So he is proposing another 500 metres left and right.

"There is no part in the world that a corridor of a secular road is up to that metre. This is why people are saying no. The 150 metre he initially grabbed is okay.”

Another protester accused the governor of using the project as a front to enrich his allies.

In a statement signed by the AAC state chairman, Kayode Babayomi David, the party declared that it was “standing in solidarity with all victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree,” particularly residents whose homes have been marked for demolition under the pretext of corridor expansion.

“We, the African Action Congress (AAC), Oyo State chapter, stand in solidarity with the victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree, particularly the residents along the Ibadan Circular Road. We are aware of the PDP-led government’s ulterior motives in seizing more land under the pretense of corridor extension and selling it to their cronies and associates," the party said.

The AAC further accused the Makinde administration of betraying public trust by allegedly selling seized lands to political allies while displacing poor homeowners.

“Makinde initially claimed he wouldn’t seize more than 150 meters and assured that no houses would be demolished,” the party said.

“However, months later, he backtracked and claimed he needed an additional 500 meters for the corridors. This deceitful act is despicable, and we will not allow him to get away with it.”

The opposition party had vowed to mobilise residents, civil society groups, and traders to resist the planned demolitions and “occupy Ibadan” until the government abandons the plan.

The document shows that N219.968 billion was borrowed within the period, of which N219.963 billion came from domestic sources. In contrast, the state recorded only N63 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR), according to figures contained in the same report. In the same period between January and September, 2025, a sum of N25 billion was spent on public debt transactions.
 

Amid its heavy reliance on loans and the resultant increase in debt charges, SaharaReporters earlier reported in June that the Oyo State Executive Council approved the sum of N63,479,858,000 for the overhauling of Government House structures.

According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital, the "government house was in an embarrassing state and was an unbefitting facility."

The statement further claimed that for the past six years, the Governor and his deputy have been living in their personal houses instead of their official residences at the Government House.

In this report, SaharaReporters examines the implications of the approved N63.4 billion for the renovation of the Government House.

A review of the Oyo State 2025 approved budget shows that the allocation for the state Ministry of Health stands at N59.4 billion. This means that more would be spent on overhauling the Government House than on providing healthcare for the state's residents in the 2025 fiscal year.

Further analysis reveals that the cost of drilling one borehole was budgeted at N5 million by the state. This implies that the N63.4 billion could provide no fewer than 12,680 boreholes across the state.

The state also budgeted N2 million for the provision of one toilet facility. This means the amount allocated for the renovation of the Government House could provide 31,700 toilets across the state.

Additionally, the state allocated N822 million for the rehabilitation of twenty health centres. This suggests that N63.4 billion could be used to rehabilitate 1,540 health centres.

Currently, 57% of households across the state are said to lack access to clean drinking water, while another 79% lack access to sanitary facilities, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics in its Multidimensional Poverty Index.

In August, a lawmaker representing Saki West constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly raised alarm over what he described as the secret approval of a N300 billion loan for the state government.

According to Hon. Shittu Ibraheem, the loan was facilitated at the instance of Governor Seyi Makinde. In a statement seen by SaharaReporters, he disclosed that the loan was approved on August 19 and perfected on August 26, 2025.

Ibraheem, however, distanced himself from the process.

"I want it to be in record that I, Hon Shittu Ibraheem, representing Saki West state constituency in Oyo State House of Assembly, am not among other lawmakers who approved a loan of 300 billion naira on 19th August 2025 and perfected on 26th of August 2025 in an emergency sitting during our 6-week recess."

He further explained that the House had been on break when the loan was approved.

"The House is currently on a 6-week recess from July 31st to September 16th, 2025. But an emergency plenary session was arranged to approve such a loan without communicating it to all members."

Ibraheem also questioned the rationale behind the loan, citing the state’s increased revenues.

"Loan at this time when all states have more than enough. Oyo State now receives about a 500% increase in FAAC. Why take this loan? Why is the loan an emergency and why was the sitting not communicated to all the honorable members?," he stated.

While the government continues to accumulate debt, SaharaReporters had earlier reported the growing hardship faced by residents of the state. On Monday, residents and members of the African Action Congress (AAC) took to the streets of Ibadan to protest what they described as Governor Makinde’s renewed attempt to grab more land under the guise of expanding the Ibadan Circular Road project.

The demonstrators, wielding placards and chanting anti-government songs, accused the governor of seeking to seize an additional 500 metres of land on both sides of the corridor—beyond the 150 metres already taken.

One of the protesters had told SaharReporters “The reason why people are out this morning is that Makinde is planning to grab more 500 metres on the corridor. To add to the initial 150 metres he had initially grabbed. So he is proposing another 500 metres left and right.

There is no part in the world that a corridor of a secular road is up to that metre. This is why people are saying no. The 150 metre he initially grabbed is okay.”

Another protester accused the governor of using the project as a front to enrich his allies.

In a statement signed by the AAC state chairman, Kayode Babayomi David, the party declared that it was “standing in solidarity with all victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree,” particularly residents whose homes have been marked for demolition under the pretext of corridor expansion.

“We, the African Action Congress (AAC), Oyo State chapter, stand in solidarity with the victims of Makinde’s land-grabbing spree, particularly the residents along the Ibadan Circular Road. We are aware of the PDP-led government’s ulterior motives in seizing more land under the pretense of corridor extension and selling it to their cronies and associates," the party said.

The AAC further accused the Makinde administration of betraying public trust by allegedly selling seized lands to political allies while displacing poor homeowners.

“Makinde initially claimed he wouldn’t seize more than 150 meters and assured that no houses would be demolished,” the party said.

“However, months later, he backtracked and claimed he needed an additional 500 meters for the corridors. This deceitful act is despicable, and we will not allow him to get away with it.”

The opposition party vowed to mobilise residents, civil society groups, and traders to resist the planned demolitions and “occupy Ibadan” until the government abandons the plan.