Introduction
When news broke that the Oyo State Government House was finally set for renovation, I was genuinely hopeful. As someone who had publicly highlighted the abandonment of this iconic structure as far back as November 2023, I considered it a win for advocacy. But that initial optimism has now been replaced by worry—worry about the cost, the process, the priorities, and most importantly, the purpose. With an earmarked budget of over ₦64 billion naira (approximately $42 million at the current exchange rate), one cannot help but ask: what exactly is being built at the Government House?
A Cost That Raises Questions
To put things into context, consider this: the entire renovation of the Fashola Farm Settlement—a project covering a luxury estate with five houses, a golf course, a health centre, ten warehouses, fencing of over 1,000 hectares of land, gatehouses, administrative buildings, a crèche, and other infrastructure—reportedly cost around ₦5 billion.
Likewise, the renovation of major sporting infrastructure, including a stadium in the state, was also pegged at ₦5 billion. The recently proposed renovation of over 300 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state also allegedly came in at a figure below ₦5 billion.
Given these precedents, what justifies the staggering ₦64billion being quoted for the renovation of the Government House? What kind of transformation is being envisioned that demands almost ten times the cost of other large-scale infrastructure projects?
The True Priorities of Governance
This brings us to the larger concern: are we getting our priorities right as a state? How does this budget for the Government House renovation compare with what has been allocated to critical sectors like agriculture, health, education, emergency services, and infrastructure?
• How many functional ambulances does Oyo State currently have across its 33 local government areas?
• How many fire engines are operational in a state where fire outbreaks remain a recurring tragedy?
• How many tractors or farming support vehicles are available to actual farmers, especially in rural communities?
• How many public schools have functioning toilets, boreholes, and solar-powered electricity?
• What exactly is the budget for health and education, compared to this single renovation project?
These are not rhetorical questions; they are reflections of our collective concern. At a time when communities still cry out for the basics, spending ₦64billion —even one as symbolic as the Government House—begs for greater justification.
Demanding Transparency
This is not a blanket condemnation of government efforts. As an advocate, I celebrate progress where it’s due. But this is a call for accountability and transparency. We challenge the state government to:
• Make the full Bill of Quantities (BoQ) public;
• Allow independent valuation by neutral professionals or industry stakeholders;
• Publish the contractor details, project scope, and timeline;
• Engage the public on what the renovation entails—will it be used actively by government officials or just serve as another vanity project?
Already, there are reports of heavy-duty trucks on-site. Yet, without sufficient information, the project begins to look less like a smart investment and more like a misplaced priority, especially given the fiscal demands across sectors that directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens.
Conclusion: Let the People Know
Public buildings like the Government House carry historical and political symbolism, but symbols must not overshadow substance. The people deserve to know what’s being done in their name and with their money. If the goal is truly to restore dignity to the seat of power, then transparency, not just aesthetics, must lead the process.
We are watching. We are hopeful. But we will continue to ask:
At what cost? For what purpose? And who truly benefits?
Idris Animasaun
Architect and Social Change Advocate
