Makinde Adovcates Decentralization of Economy

Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, has again spoken on the restructuring of the country and the decentralisation of its economy, saying how it will allow all states to develop their resources at their capacity.


Makinde mentioned this while hosting the UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association at the Governor’s Office in Agodi.

Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, In an authorised statement, said the governor emphasised that even if restructuring does not solve the current problems completely, it will at least solve many of the challenges Nigerians currently witness.

“At the end of every month, we are all going to Abuja cap in hand, and that has stunted our growth everywhere you turn to. Even the issue of insecurity we are faced with and economic challenges.

“Yes, a restructured and decentralised country will not be fix-all (solution), but it will, at least, put us on that trajectory where we can start dealing with other issues at the local level,” he said.

The governor also said, “this is indeed a challenging period for us as a country across various sectors, education inclusive, and tertiary education cannot be left to the government alone. And it is also tied to our request for a restructured country.

“I remember in the late 70s; my eldest brother was leaving secondary school and going to the University. 1977/78, you apply to various universities, you do their exams, and then if you are qualified, they put you in. And certain areas thought they were disadvantaged, and what did we see, then we have JAMB for the entire country. Then we started having grammar like ‘educationally disadvantaged’ and quota system’, ‘catchment area’ and all sorts of things, and what did that do for us? It arrested growth in that sector.”

Further telling the visiting Alumni Association that its objectives were distinguished by asking for past students, such as him, to come and donate to the school in the form of endowments, adding that “your reach will determine what you will get.”

He added that with the NUC and TETFUND, everything has become centralised, making more people clamour for the decentralisation of the country “so that certain people can develop at their own pace without all of us having to go to Abuja, even in terms of the FAAC.”

He further added: “So, I will accept to co-chair the committee with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and we will roll up our sleeves and ensure we raise funds for the faculty your target of N500m.”

The governor went on to add that his government has always admired a collaboration with the academia and industries to promote the development in Oyo State and praised the alumni association’s offer to place his government’s developmental efforts in Oyo State on its website.

“Thank you so much for the offer of showcasing what we are doing through the website of the UNILAG Engineering Alumni. We also try to encourage collaboration between the government and the industry, and academia. “If we are doing good, tell us also so that we can become a little bit proud of ourselves, and if you also have things you feel the state can do in terms of collaboration on research, do not hesitate to send your request to us,” he said.

Engineer Dideolu Falobi, National President of the Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association, also commended Governor Makinde’s development programs, saying he is a good ambassador of the faculty and the institution at large.

He said they came to meet with Governor Makinde to discuss challenges facing the faculty and how all stakeholders would sit together and proffer solutions to the challenges.