Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the immediate dissolution of boards, commissions, and parastatals in the state, as well as the termination of the appointment of all political appointees. This decision was made in view of the gradual winding down of the governor's first term in office, ahead of the inauguration of his second term scheduled for October 16, 2026. The affected appointees include special assistants, senior special assistants, and technical assistants.
However, chairmen and members of statutory boards are not affected by the dissolution. These include the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Civil Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, and Judicial Service Commission. The governing councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions remain intact, in line with earlier directives by the Governor. The chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Local Government Service Commission, and Teaching Service Commission are to remain in office, although their respective boards stand dissolved.
Also exempted from the termination of appointments are the Directors-General and Technical Advisors to the Governor. Oyebanji expressed appreciation to the affected appointees for their diverse contributions to the success of his administration and their service to the State. He wished them continued success in their future endeavours. This move is seen as a routine exercise in preparation for the new term, allowing the governor to reconstitute his team.
Meanwhile, Oyebanji has reiterated his administration's commitment to strengthening the state's education sector through sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital development, and institutional capacity. He made this statement during the combined convocation ceremony of Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro. The governor pledged continued government support for EKSCOTECH and other state-owned tertiary institutions in his second term.
A total of 5,742 graduands were officially conferred with National Diploma and Higher National Diploma on the occasion. Oyebanji congratulated the graduates and charged the school management to sustain the momentum and ensure that the opportunities created by the institution's new Polytechnic status translate into better training and improved prospects for students and graduates. The transformation of EKSCOTECH into a full-fledged polytechnic represents an important step towards expanding access to technical and vocational education in the state.
The chairman of the governing council, Dr Femi Thomas, described the institution's recent transformation as the product of a deliberate effort to restore stability, strengthen its foundation, and complete its long-awaited transition to Polytechnic status. Thomas identified increased government subvention as one of the immediate needs of the polytechnic, alongside additional lecturers, infrastructure, and other facilities required to sustain the expansion. The institution has also secured accreditation for additional programmes from the National Board for Technical Education.
EKSCOTECH Rector, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, noted that the combined convocation was significant because it brought together graduands from academic sessions for which convocation ceremonies had not previously been held. He assured that the convocation ceremony would henceforth be held yearly, as the usual practice in institutions of higher learning. With this development, the institution is poised to continue providing quality education to its students.
Key points
- Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji dissolves boards, commissions, and parastatals, and terminates appointments of political appointees.
- Oyebanji's administration remains committed to strengthening the state's education sector through sustained investment.
- EKSCOTECH has been transformed into a full-fledged polytechnic, expanding access to technical and vocational education.
