The claim by the Oyo’s Partyless Publicity Secretary , Micheal Ogunsina, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done “nothing” for Oyo State is not only misleading but also dismissive of verifiable interventions already impacting thousands of residents across the state.
While political rhetoric may thrive on sweeping statements, governance must be judged by facts, policies, and measurable outcomes, and on that score, the Tinubu administration has demonstrably extended support to Oyo State in critical sectors.
One of the most significant interventions is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a flagship initiative designed to remove financial barriers to higher education. Under this scheme, tens of thousands of students from Oyo State, over 76,000 so far, have accessed student loans and upkeep allowances.
These are not abstract figures. They represent real young people in institutions such as the University of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan, and other tertiary institutions who can now pursue their education without the crushing burden of tuition fees and living expenses. The inclusion of upkeep allowances paid directly to students ensures that beneficiaries are not only enrolled but also sustained throughout their academic journey.
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Micheal is asking why President Tinubu deserves Oyo people’s votes in 2027. The facts of NELFUND loans and upkeep allowances to Oyo students are enough for Oyo people to vote enmass for President Tinubu. The over 76,000 students who have accessed the loans and upkeep allowances so far from Oyo State have fathers, mothers, brothers and family members who will appreciate the gesture of taking the burdens of financing their children’s tertiary education off them. Or is tertiary education no longer useful to the partyless Publicity Secretary that NELFUND loans and upkeep allowances mean nothing to him?
For a state with a strong academic culture like Oyo, this intervention is transformative. It is an investment in human capital development, one that will yield dividends far beyond the present political cycle.
Equally important is the Federal Government’s response to the economic realities following the removal of fuel subsidy. Recognising the pressure this policy placed on transportation costs, the Tinubu administration rolled out targeted palliatives across states, including Oyo. Among these is the direct provision of 20 units of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to the Oyo State Government. These buses were not symbolic gestures; they were practical tools aimed at reducing the cost of transportation for ordinary citizens. By supporting mass transit systems such as the Pacesetter Transport Service, the Federal Government has helped cushion the immediate impact of higher fuel prices while also promoting a shift to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.
The significance of this intervention cannot be overstated. Transportation affects every segment of society, from students and workers to traders and artisans. By lowering transport costs, the CNG buses indirectly ease the cost of living and support economic activity across the state. If the CNG buses are not being seen on Oyo roads, Oyo Government must provide reasons why the buses aren’t on the roads.
Taken together, the NELFUND scheme and the deployment of CNG buses illustrate a broader governance approach: targeted, sector-specific interventions designed to alleviate hardship and expand opportunity. It is therefore inaccurate, and indeed unfair, for the Peoples Democratic Party to claim that nothing has been done for Oyo State. Such a statement ignores tangible benefits already being felt by students, commuters, and families across the state.
Oyo State played a notable role in the electoral success of President Tinubu in the South-West, and it is only natural that expectations remain high. However, public discourse must be grounded in truth. Constructive criticism is vital in a democracy, but it must not come at the expense of facts.
The evidence is clear: thousands of Oyo students are accessing federal education loans and upkeep support. The state has received CNG buses to ease transportation costs. These are not promises; they are deliverables already in motion. Rather than dismissing these efforts, stakeholders should focus on ensuring that such programmes are expanded, efficiently implemented, and made accessible to even more citizens. That is the path to meaningful progress, not the propagation of narratives that obscure reality.
By Maroof Asudemade
