In a significant move to realign his administration’s focus, Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has announced a major cabinet reshuffle, appointing Professor Musibau Adetunji Babatunde as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG). This key change, effective immediately, sees the outgoing SSG, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, relieved of her duties.
The announcement, made via a statement by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Monday in Ibadan, signals more than a routine personnel change. The SSG is a pivotal role, often described as the engine room of the state government, coordinating all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and serving as the governor’s chief policy implementer. The appointment of Prof. Babatunde, a renowned economist and academic, suggests a strategic pivot towards strengthening economic governance and technical expertise at the highest level of the state’s bureaucracy.
Beyond the top appointment, the reshuffle reveals a broader administrative strategy aimed at optimizing talent and addressing specific governance priorities:
- Strategic Portfolio Reassignment: Mr. Seun Ashamu has been redeployed from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to head the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This move places an experienced administrator at the helm of the state’s fiscal architecture, potentially to drive more rigorous budget implementation and economic strategy execution.
- Elevation from Advisory to Executive Role: In a notable promotion, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Works, Mr. Ademola Aderinto, has been named a commissioner-designate. He is expected to be presented to the Oyo State House of Assembly for screening, indicating a planned move to a full ministerial portfolio, likely in a sector related to infrastructure.
- Creating New Specialized Roles: The reshuffle also introduced new advisory positions tailored to contemporary challenges. The appointments of Mr. Abiodun Adedoja as Special Adviser on Energy Security and Mr. Kolawole Akanmu as Senior Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning reflect a targeted approach to critical areas. The Energy Security role is particularly significant, addressing national concerns about power supply and its impact on economic productivity at the state level.
Analysts view this reshuffle as a mid-term recalibration by Governor Makinde, possibly intended to inject fresh momentum into his administration’s second-term agenda. The emphasis on economic planning, budget management, and energy security aligns with broader themes of economic diversification and infrastructural resilience. The choice of an academic economist as SSG may point towards a data-driven and research-informed policy-making approach for the remainder of the governor’s tenure.
As these new appointees settle into their roles, the focus will be on how these strategic changes translate into improved governance, policy coherence, and tangible development outcomes for the people of Oyo State. The coming months will reveal the effectiveness of this administrative realignment. (Source: NAN News)
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Edited by Sandra Umeh
