Oyebanji Begins Second Term Amid Unemployment, Insecurity, Poverty Concerns

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has begun his second time period in Ekiti State with a historic electoral mandate, spectacular income figures and a list of infrastructure tasks. But beneath the federal government’s celebration lies a tougher query: what has financial development really delivered to extraordinary Ekiti residents battling unemployment, rising residing prices, insecurity and restricted financial alternatives?

Oyebanji took the oath of workplace on Friday on the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, turning into the primary governor within the state’s historical past to safe consecutive phrases since its creation in 1996. Chief Justice of Ekiti State, Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye, administered the oath to Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye at 1:27 p.m. earlier than swearing within the governor at 1:35 p.m.

The ceremony attracted Vice-President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; serving governors; conventional rulers; political leaders; and former Ekiti governors Ayodele Fayose, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi.

The political symbolism was unmistakable. Oyebanji had damaged the state’s longstanding sample of governors failing to safe consecutive mandates, profitable re-election with 319,224 votes in opposition to 40,543 for his closest challenger, Peoples Democratic Party candidate Oluwole Oluyede, within the June 20 governorship election.

But an amazing electoral victory is just not a certificates of outstanding governance. Neither does it absolve an administration of scrutiny.

Oyebanji has secured one other 4 years in workplace. The query now’s whether or not he can justify the boldness voters positioned in him or whether or not his second time period will turn into one other train in celebrating authorities statistics whereas the financial frustrations of extraordinary folks persist.

Revenue Is Rising, But Where Is The Prosperity?

The administration’s strongest argument for continuity is its reported enchancment in internally generated income.

When Oyebanji assumed workplace in October 2022, Ekiti’s month-to-month internally generated income reportedly averaged between ₦650 million and ₦700 million. By 2026, the federal government stated the determine had risen to roughly ₦2.6 billion month-to-month, with cumulative income of ₦88.4 billion over 4 years.

Data attributed to the Joint Revenue Board additionally confirmed that Ekiti recorded a 62.13 per cent improve in internally generated income in 2025, outperforming different states within the South-West.

These figures, if sustained, characterize a big fiscal enchancment. But income technology is a way to an finish, not an finish in itself.

The central query is what residents have obtained in return for the extra cash flowing into authorities coffers.

Are extra graduates discovering respectable employment? Are small companies increasing? Have rural communities gained dependable entry to healthcare, clear water, electrical energy and satisfactory roads? Can households afford primary requirements with out sinking deeper into monetary misery?

A authorities can not indefinitely use elevated income as proof of success with out demonstrating how that income has improved folks’s lives.

Ekiti’s economic system could also be increasing on paper, however the vital take a look at is whether or not that development is creating alternatives past the civil service and political institution.

The administration should clarify how its fiscal positive aspects are translating into measurable enhancements in family incomes, employment, productiveness and entry to important providers.

Economic Growth Without Enough Jobs

Unemployment stays one of the uncomfortable assessments dealing with the governor.

Ekiti is dwelling to a number of greater establishments, together with Ekiti State University, the Federal University Oye-Ekiti and Afe Babalola University. Every 12 months, these establishments produce graduates who should compete for restricted alternatives in an economic system with a comparatively slender industrial base.

A reported unemployment fee of 32.21 per cent factors to the dimensions of the problem, though the underlying dataset and definition should be examined earlier than the determine is handled as a present, straight comparable measure.

The reported 2026 state recruitment train, which attracted 48,000 candidates for two,000 positions, affords one other indication of the stress on formal employment alternatives.

For each obtainable place, dozens of candidates had been competing for a spot.

This is just not merely a recruitment drawback. It displays an economic system struggling to soak up its workforce.

The authorities might level to agricultural initiatives, infrastructure contracts and proposed expertise investments, however the essential query is what number of sustainable jobs these interventions have created, what number of pay respectable wages and what number of will survive past government-supported programmes.

Engaging 5,000 younger folks in industrial farming is commendable if the initiative delivers measurable outcomes. However, it can not by itself resolve the employment disaster confronting a state with hundreds of graduates and underemployed employees.