Oyebanji: The legacy of the righteous

By Olusesan Alabi

On Tuesday, 9 June 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was in Ekiti to commission the Ado-Ekiti Flyover Bridge named after him. He was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima. This 1.2-kilometre road is the latest in the series of projects classified by Governor Biodun Oyebanji as his legacy projects. In Nigerian governance, a legacy project refers to a high-impact, capital-intensive, and long-term infrastructural or structural initiative undertaken by an administration to drive economic transformation and define its political tenure. These projects are specifically designed to outlast the government that initiated them, leaving a permanent mark on the country’s socio-economic landscape.

This definition mirrors the assertion in Proverbs 13:22, which states, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children.” This scripture implies that a righteous person does not just live for the present. Such a person plans three generations ahead, focusing on generations yet unborn. Righteousness therefore includes visionary and generational thinking. A good family man would plan and lay down wealth, values, and a name that would outlive him and his children even to generations after him. Bible scholars emphasize that this inheritance is much more than material wealth. It includes a legacy of faith, character, values, wisdom, and a good family reputation.

In Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) has consistently demonstrated traits of a visionary and generational leader. He has been deliberate and intentional in initiating policies and executing projects that would not only outlive his administration but would transcend generations after him. BAO’s legacy projects carry structural economic implications aimed at shifting Ekiti State from a civil service–dependent economy into a competitive hub for technology, commerce, and logistics. He focuses heavily on urban renewal, agricultural connectivity, and complete public infrastructure development under his trademark “Shared Prosperity” agenda. Many of these initiatives qualify as legacy projects. These span critical infrastructure, urban renewal, human capital, and economic development.

This write-up shall examine a few projects and policies of BAO which have positive impacts for today as well as create opportunities for the future. Top on the list is infrastructure, where we have the likes of Ekiti Cargo Airport, the newly commissioned Tinubu Flyover, Ado Ekiti Ring Road, Omisanjana-33Kva-Ajebamidele Road and Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road dualization. The list also includes the massive World Bank–assisted rural roads construction across the length and breadth of the state.

It is no longer news that Ekiti Cargo Airport has been completed, commissioned, and is functioning. This project had spanned administrations in conception and construction. Oyebanji inherited and completed it with state-of-the-art and world-class facilities. The airport is a game-changer in Ekiti’s socio-economic landscape. Being agro-allied, it is designed to ease the movement of farm produce from Ekiti to the outside world. Those who should know opine that the airport will unlock the prosperity and vast economic potentials of the state, contribute to its GDP, as well as position Ekiti to partake actively in global commerce. The airport is not just about planes; it is about moving Ekiti from a landlocked agrarian economy to one connected to national and global markets. Needless to state here that the airport has become a worthy alternative for commuters from surrounding states travelling to the outside world.

The newly commissioned Ado Ekiti Ring Road is closely linked to the airport. It is a 17.8-kilometre road that stretches from Iworoko and passes through towns like Are Ekiti, Afao, Araromi Obo, and other adjoining towns and terminates at the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport. Its completion enables smooth and faster transportation to the northern part of the state while ensuring faster mobility from parts of Ado Ekiti to the airport.

The socio-economic implications of the Ahmed Tinubu flyover are enormous. The flyover spans the high-density Ajilosun–Ijigbo–Okeyinmi commercial axis. It centers on reduced commercial transit costs, localized job growth via local content laws (it was constructed by a local contractor), and enhanced investor attractiveness for Ekiti State. This strategic infrastructure asset yields both immediate macroeconomic benefits and localized financial friction points. Besides this, the bridge is complementary to the global plan of turning the environment into the Ado Ekiti Central Business District. Close to it is the huge commercial hub called the Ado-Ekiti Business District. This urban renewal project turns around the Irona slum into a business hub. It is a public–private partnership project (PPP).

There are road constructions ongoing in almost every nook and cranny of the state. The list includes Omisanjana-33Kva-Ajebamidele Road, Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road dualization, GRA 3rd Extension Road, Faglo-Olorunsogo Road, Itawure–Okemesi, Ikere–Ilawe Road, Ikole–Ara–Isinbode Road, Ikere–Igbara Odo Road, and Igbara Odo–Ikogosi Road among others.

The construction and completion of the overhead bridge carries sentimental implications for me. Sixteen years before, as a director in the State Ministry of Works, I was part of the team involved in the conception of this project. It was designed and all but awarded when the incumbent governor was impeached. When briefed on the project, the appointed sole administrator stopped further processing. That was the end of that project. As I noted elsewhere, it would take sixteen years and five administrations before the project was revived and actualized. BAO revived it in 2023 and it is now completed and there to the glory of God and for the benefit of all. For me, it was a dream come true.

We should also take a look at BAO’s focus on rural roads being anchored by the Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (Ekiti RAAMP). The RAAMP is a joint multi-billion-naira initiative funded by the Ekiti State Government and the World Bank. Its core purpose is to connect agrarian communities to urban markets, expand trading hours, and slash post-harvest losses for farmers. The project targets the completion of 275 kilometres of rural roads across the state.

There are other legacy projects worthy of mention. In the social sector, we have the likes of the Ekiti State International Centre for Arts and Culture. The project is sited beside the artificial lake created by the old Waterworks, Ado Ekiti. Facilities include a 1,000-seater hall, artiste camp, studios, museum, library, mall, chalets, and riverside commercial and recreational activities. It is designed to celebrate indigenous technology and creative energy. It goes beyond being an event hall to building a full cultural village aimed at tourism, the creative economy, and cultural pride.

For space constraints, we cannot go into his forays in health, education, and agriculture, among others. Suffice to say that Ekiti’s socio-economic landscape is witnessing a massive revolution. Governor Oyebanji is leaving indelible footprints on the sands of time. In the last three and a half years, his Shared Prosperity agenda has moved from sloganeering into concrete and focused development of the state and its people. This has transformed into a partnership that works. Thus he could boldly declare in his campaign for a second term that Ekiti should judge him on what he has done. No campaign promise other than “let the good works continue.”

His performance in the last three years has made campaigning difficult for his opponents. While his opponents are promising utopia, he is showcasing his good works. Observers have pointed out that June 20, 2026, is not really about election but a referendum on Oyebanji’s performance. Will Ekiti let the good works continue? The answer is staring us in the face.

•Alabi writes from Osi-Ekiti.

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