Two major events that occurred at different locations in Ekiti State earlier this month again underscored the primacy of capacity, character, and compassion in the leadership style of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
The first event took place at Oke Ako Ekiti, in the North Senatorial District, and featured the distribution of cheques totalling N160m as compensation to landowners whose lands were acquired for the commercial farming scheme for young farmers.
This event also included the flag-off of newly purchased tractors and other equipment.
The second event, held barely 48 hours later, involved the distribution of cheques totalling N140m to young farmers as payment for the farm produces off-taken from them across six farm clusters.
The significance lies in the seamless execution of activities: land acquisition, compensation, utilisation of the acquired land, the first harvest, off-taking of the harvested crops, and the purchase of tractors and other equipment required for the government’s tractorisation policy. Remarkably, all these were completed within six months of the scheme’s introduction.
Code-named “Bring Back the Youth Into Agriculture,” the programme is run in partnership with a private investor.
Four weeks earlier, in a bid to achieve energy independence and ensure that his administration’s substantial investments in power infrastructure yield the desired results, Oyebanji granted operational licences to 14 investors.
These included three distribution companies, four power-generating companies, two mini-grid generation companies, and five-meter asset providers.
This strategic and pace-setting move aims to enhance power generation, ensure efficient distribution, and provide reliable metering for residents. The goal is to move the state beyond the 20–25 MW it currently receives from the national grid (far below the estimated requirement of 120 MW) to 130 MW through a robust state grid.
This would reduce dependency on the national supply and promote sustainable, locally managed energy solutions.
Once again, the initiative, which aligns with the 2023 Electricity Act, was achieved within a year—a period that also witnessed a massive power upgrade and the reconnection of many communities that had previously been without power supply to the national grid.
Remarkably, Oyebanji is intentional about bringing joy to the people. Moved by the plight of Ekiti pensioners grappling with accumulated gratuities inherited from previous administrations, the Governor has, in the last two months, paid a total of N4.5bn to offset part of the outstanding gratuities.
This is in addition to the regular monthly payment of gratuities. Beyond supporting and equipping workers in the state to ensure excellent service delivery, the Governor further endeared himself to Ekiti teachers earlier this year when he directed that primary school teachers with degree qualifications should enjoy career progression to Level 16, like their counterparts in other sectors.
Additionally, he extended car and housing loans to these teachers, effectively ending an age-old policy that had marginalised them.
The community of People With Disabilities has also found a champion in Governor Oyebanji.
Through his inclusion policy, he established a government department, headed by a cabinet-ranked official, dedicated to their welfare. This initiative has led to greater attention being paid to the welfare and human capital development of PWDs, including significant investments in upgrading the state’s special schools and the establishment of a trauma centre for children with disabilities.
These and several other cutting-edge initiatives authenticate the welfarist approach of his government, underscoring his compassionate nature as a leader and his sheer determination to create economic opportunities for the people.
Oyebanji stands out as a true leader of the people—one whose happiness is tied to the well-being and progress of the citizens.
Because the people recognise “BAO,” or the “Talk-and-Do Governor,” as he is fondly called, for his unwavering passion for their welfare, they celebrate him not only on his birthday but daily, with the same energy and enthusiasm that he brings to serving them.
As the renowned American author and speaker John C. Maxwell aptly puts it, “A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
Oyebanji embodies this definition with a clear vision that he communicates eloquently through corresponding actions. He walks the talk and empowers the people to achieve their own visions and purposes. Many believe this exemplary leadership has inspired critical stakeholders in the state, including all former governors, to endorse him for a second term—even before he marks his second anniversary in office.
Those who rely on their own strength may readily provide an answer to the question of how they surmount obstacles and stay on top of their game. But those who live by the power of the Almighty God and the attendant grace cannot make such a boast.
Instead, they work hard, collaborate with others, and allow God to be sovereign over everything—directing each step along paths that ultimately yield boundless rewards.
This is the story of the Omoluabi Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as he celebrates his fifty-seventh birthday today.
Those who have followed Oyebanji’s journey since his undergraduate days know that his political philosophy is rooted in the social democratic principle of uplifting and supporting the weak and vulnerable in society, as well as the biblical injunction to “love thy neighbour as thyself.”
An apostle of soft leadership, BAO’s genuine concerns revolve around how transformational leadership can replace transactional politics; how to build strong institutions that support growth and development; how to make governance more compassionate; how to inspire every citizen to contribute to state and nation-building by utilising their talents, time, platforms, and resources; and how to implement mechanisms for genuine and effective empowerment of citizens toward the attainment of shared prosperity for all.
Oyebanji exudes disarming humility, wearing it proudly like a garment. He has an insatiable appetite for championing noble causes.
In a recent interview with state correspondents, the Governor revealed the secret of his calm demeanour: he has committed the state into God’s hands, freeing himself from undue pressure.
Those who have encountered him, and indeed the vast majority of Ekiti people, agree that humility remains his greatest asset.
As a change agent, BAO believes that a leader must live in the hearts of the people by serving them diligently and faithfully, knowing he is accountable to them and will one day give an account of his stewardship to God.
He views trust as a public good essential for achieving collective greatness, and he understands that trust must be earned.
As a leader, he embodies creativity, character, competence, and compassion, all driven by a passion for excellence.
Born on December 21, 1967, in Ikogosi-Ekiti, Oyebanji had his early education in his home state.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Ondo State University (now Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti) in 1989 and a Master’s degree in Political Science (International Relations and Strategic Studies) from the University of Ibadan in 1992.
He began his career as a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, where he worked for four years (1993–1997).
He later joined the defunct Omega Bank Plc (now Heritage Bank) as Manager, Treasury and Financial Services, serving until May 1999, when he embarked on an illustrious career in politics and governance.
Since entering public service in 1999, Oyebanji has served in various capacities under different administrations.
Notably, he was Secretary to the Ekiti State Government between October 2018 and December 2021, when he resigned to contest in the governorship election.
He emerged victorious on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in the June 18, 2022, election and was inaugurated as Governor of Ekiti State on October 16, 2022.
A devout Christian, Oyebanji views his career in politics and governance as a divine calling. This belief continues to guide him as he serves God and his country diligently as a loyal party member and dedicated public servant.
In recognition of his inspirational life journey, Oyebanji has received numerous awards and honours.
He was named Governor of the Year (2023) by Daily Independent Newspaper and Marketing Edge Magazine. Additionally, he received the Ekiti Exceptional Achievers Award in recognition of his contributions as Secretary of the State Creation Committee and Secretary of the Ekiti State Development Fund during the creation of Ekiti State.
Oyebanji is married to Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, an Associate Professor of Educational Management at the University of Ibadan. They are blessed with three children.
As he marks another year of impactful leadership, Oyebanji stands as an inspiration to both current and aspiring leaders and a symbol of boundless grace. At 57, his legacy of integrity, innovation, loyalty, and generosity continues to shape political narratives and inspire generations to come.
- Olayinka Oyebode is Special Adviser on Media to the Ekiti State Governor.