The Oyo State Government has approved a significant 70% increase in the 2025 capital budget allocation for persons with disabilities compared to 2024. This development was announced by Governor Seyi Makinde during the 2024 Stakeholders’ Summit and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration in Ibadan.
Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Governor Makinde highlighted the administration’s commitment to advancing the welfare of the disability community in the state. He attributed the budget increase to the proposals made by persons with disabilities during recent Budget Town Hall meetings.
The governor disclosed that the capital budget for the disability community has risen to ₦877.5 million, up from ₦492 million in 2024. Additionally, the overhead costs for the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities have increased from ₦315 million to ₦345 million.
These funds will cater to key demands, including transportation empowerment, training of agencies on disability roles, compliance training for enforcement agencies, and the procurement of assistive devices and mobility equipment, among others.
Governor Seyi Makinde
Progress and Initiatives
Governor Makinde also announced that 510 persons with disabilities have been recruited into the state’s civil service, with a directive ensuring that quotas for persons with disabilities are protected in every ministry.
Highlighting past efforts, Makinde recalled appointing Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi as the pioneer Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Mr. Timothy Olufemi as the Executive Assistant on Disability Matters upon taking office in May 2023. These appointments were integral to promoting inclusion in governance.
“When I began my second term, I reappointed Barrister Adekanmbi and tasked him with budgeting for the Agency, securing an office, and redeploying staff to operationalize the Agency. I am proud to report that all these goals have been achieved within 18 months of Omituntun 2.0,” Makinde stated.
He further noted that grants and subventions for disability cluster groups have been approved, with three operational vehicles set to be delivered soon to enhance the Agency’s functionality.
Empowerment Milestones
Governor Makinde emphasized that his administration is the first in the state to politically empower persons with disabilities by appointing them as Supervisory Councillors and Special Assistants across all local government areas. “This positions us as an all-inclusive government, a model for the rest of the country,” he added.
Agency’s Perspective
Speaking at the event, Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi, Director-General of the Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities, praised Governor Makinde’s administration for its unwavering support.
Since the beginning of Governor Makinde’s administration, there have been deliberate efforts to enhance access to governance and services for persons with disabilities.
Barrister Ayodele Adekanmbi – DG, Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Adekanmbi further emphasized the Governor Seyi Makinde’s government’s genuine commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
Kayode Akinola,
IT & Technical Officer,
Oyo State Agency for Persons with Disabilities
