The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni has appreciated  the Executive Governor of Oyo State. Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for his support and contributions to the Civil and Public Service of Oyo State.

This was contained in an appreciation message issued and signed in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital solicited  unalloyed support for her office (Office of the Head of Service) and the current administration in the State led by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The statement said  “New Year wishes as we step into 2026! May God’s abundant favour, growth, joy, and tangible achievements fill your life and that of your loved ones.

I want to take a moment to appreciate  His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for his contributions to the Civil and Public Service of Oyo State”.

The Statement added that “My appreciation also goes to all Political Heads in the public Service Sectors, all Heads of MDAs, Labour Unions, and the entire Civil and Public Servants in the State, our vendors and other members of the Public for your contributions towards the success of my office and the entire service”.

“I humbly wish to solicit your unalloyed support for my office and the current administration in the State’.

Mrs Olubunmi Oni hinted further that “As we set our goals and move on together in the state in the year 2026, please let us remember that faithful action and perseverance are key to success. Challenges are part of growth, and with faith, you’ll navigate them with strength”.

Once again, I wish to appreciate your dedication, support, and commitment to our shared journey.

“Together, let’s build a responsive, efficient and people-oriented service. May 2026 bring progress, peace, and prosperity to us all, and may our efforts be crowned with success. Wishing you a blessed and fulfilling New Year”

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni has appreciated the Executive Governor of Oyo State. Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for his support and contributions to the Civil and Public Service of Oyo State.

This was contained in an appreciation message issued and signed in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital solicited unalloyed support for her office (Office of the Head of Service) and the current administration in the State led by Governor Seyi Makinde.

The statement said  “New Year wishes as we step into 2026! May God’s abundant favour, growth, joy, and tangible achievements fill your life and that of your loved ones.

I want to take a moment to appreciate His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde for his contributions to the Civil and Public Service of Oyo State”.

The Statement added that “My appreciation also goes to all Political Heads in the public Service Sectors, all Heads of MDAs, Labour Unions, and the entire Civil and Public Servants in the State, our vendors and other members of the Public for your contributions towards the success of my office and the entire service”.

“I humbly wish to solicit your unalloyed support for my office and the current administration in the State’.

Mrs. Olubunmi Oni hinted further that “As we set our goals and move on together in the state in the year 2026, please let us remember that faithful action and perseverance are key to success. Challenges are part of growth, and with faith, you’ll navigate them with strength”.

Once again, I wish to appreciate your dedication, support, and commitment to our shared journey.

“Together, let’s build a responsive, efficient and people-oriented service. May 2026 bring progress, peace, and prosperity to us all, and may our efforts be crowned with success. Wishing you a blessed and fulfilling New Year”

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

The Oyo State Forum of Head of Service,  Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries. Departments and Agencies on Wednesday doles out food items to the motherless babies homes to celebrate Governor Makinde’s birthday at 58.

The State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni made this known while distributing the food items at the Rehabilitation Center for Disabled, Moniya, Ibadan and Juvenile Correctional Centre, Polytechnic road, Sango, Ibadan.

The Head of Service said this is not the first time the Forum would be donating food items to celebrate Governor Seyi Makinde’s birthday, saying that, it is an annual event.

She said “Governor Seyi Makinde has a good heart, we really appreciate his efforts to bring dividends of democracy to the door steps of the masses”.

She stated that the present administration in the State under the Leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde prioritize the welfare of all Civil Servants, hinting that, Civil/Public Servants are treated with utmost priority.

Mrs Olubunmi Oni charged Civil/Public Servants across the State to be dedicated to their duty and completely loyal to the government of the day.

The Forum wishes Governor Seyi Makinde a Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year in good health and sound mind.

One of the Government wards at the Juvenile Correctional Centre, Ibadan, Gbolahan Raji Makinde commended Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership and administrative prowess, especially the recognition of the less privileged people in the scheme of things in the State.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

…. It will increase work efficiency, Olusola Asa

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni has hailed Civil/Public Servants across the State for peaceful conduct of just concluded Confirmation, Promotion, Advancement Examinations across the State.

In a statement issued and signed in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital. Participants in the recently concluded examinations commended the Oyo State Government for the smooth conduct of the exercise, describing it as an eye-opener to broader aspects of the Civil Service system.

The Head of Service visited Iseyin and Oyo to monitor the conduct of the confirmation, promotion and advancement examinations.

She visited  Iseyin District Grammar School; Raji Oke-Esa Memorial Comprehensive High School, Iseyin; St. Bernardines Girls Grammar School, Oyo and Oliver Baptist High School, Oyo.

She also visited Bishops Phillips Academy, Ibadan zone II, while she was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Matters at Ibadan Zone I, with visits to all the seven centres in the zone, which include OLA, Odo Ona, Queen’s School, Apata and Government College, Apata, among others , as well as the Eruwa Zone of the examination. In the two zones, the conduct of the examination was applauded and candidates were urged to comport themselves in an ethical manner and to see the exercise as a way to improve their performance and to promote excellence in service.

The visit was greeted with excitement as candidates welcomed the Head of Service and her team.

She then moved round the examination halls to assess the process and later emphasized that the exercise is critical to workers’ career growth and professional development.

Mrs. Olubunmi Oni advised participants to remain committed to self-improvement after the examinations, urging them to continually acquire knowledge and skills relevant to their duties and personal lives.

The Head of Service reiterated further that with this examination, expectations are high that Oyo State workers will return to their various offices better equipped, motivated, and prepared to contribute more effectively to service delivery.

One of the participants at the examination centre, Mr. Asa Olusola from the State Ministry of Information commended the State Government for rejigging the knowledge of the State workforce.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his unwavering support and commitment to the continuous growth and modernization of the State’s public service.

Mrs Olubunmi Oni said the Governor’s visionary leadership and encouragement has made it possible for the introduction of groundbreaking reforms such as the Business Process Automation Solution into the Civil Service.

She stated these during the 2025 Public Service Week lecture with the theme ” Strategic Leadership Driving Digital Transformation and E-Governance for Sustainable Public Sector Reforms” held at the Local Government Service Training Hall, Secretariat, Ibadan.

She said “for the first time, the lecture has been designed into three focused syndicate sessions based on Staff Grade Levels, Management Staff, Senior Staff and Junior Staff.”

She continued, “the approach is deliberate, aimed at ensuring relevance, deeper comprehension and practical adaptability of the lessons to be learnt, also our commitment to making capacity development more responsive to the needs and realities of various cadres within the service”.

The Head of Service said digital technology remains the most assured pathway for making the public service more impactful, transparent and accountable to the citizens.

Oyo HOS noted further that digital transformation reduces waste, curbs manipulation, corruption and enhances service quality and significantly improves service delivery and equips officers with better knowledge on rules and regulations, ethical standards, promoting greater discipline and professionalism across the MDAs.

“I urge every Civil and Public Servant in the State to embrace this initiative wholeheartedly, Oyo State Government has already commenced deliberate steps towards making our public service fully driven by digital technology”

She said the digital development is aimed at enhancing workflow efficiency and ensuring that service delivery in Oyo State meets global standards.

The Guest Lecturer, Professor Olufemi Fakolade, Former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan enjoined Civil/Public Servants across the State to embrace the digital revolution, Public Service smartness and supportive public service framework and not rigid.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

The Oyo State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni, has reaffirmed that the proposed 2025 Confirmation, Promotion, and Advancement Examinations for Public Servants in Oyo State are fully in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSR) 1 of 2013.

In a statement issued in Ibadan, Mrs Oni explained that Chapter 6, Rule 060101 of the PSR clearly provides that all officers joining the service, or transferring from one establishment to another, who are yet to be confirmed, must pass the prescribed examinations outlined in Sections 3 and 4 of the Rules.

The statement further noted that the Ministry of Establishments and Training, in its effort to maintain a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aligned with Federal standards, issued Circular No. AD3/2/206/[VOL.II/157] dated 11th May 2021, which guides various cadres across the Civil, Judicial, Legislative, and Local Government Services, as well as Commissions and Boards. The circular reinforces the PSR provisions, mandating that all staff appointed to Junior (GL. 01–06), Sub-Officer (GL. 07–14), and Officer Cadres (GL. 08–17) must pass the prescribed examinations within two years of appointment for confirmation, advancement, or promotion.

The only exemption to this rule, according to Mrs Oni, applies to medical officers appointed directly to Consultant Grade Level 15, who must still observe a two-year probationary period before confirmation. These officers will also undergo an induction course jointly organised by the Office of the Head of Service and the Oyo State Hospital Management Board.

The statement also referenced the Civil Service Commission Circular Ref. No. C.16102/120 dated 13th February 2024, which requires all officers in specialised and professional cadres to register, sit for, and pass the five compulsory papers stipulated in Section 060402 of the Public Service Rules, Vol. 1 (2013) before promotion beyond Grade Level 13, to adequately prepare them for higher managerial responsibilities.

In line with the ongoing review, the number of subjects to be written has been revised to seven papers for officer cadres, five papers for sub-officer cadres, and four papers for junior staff, as contained in earlier circulars issued by the Office of the Head of Service.

Mrs Oni assured public servants and the general public that the examinations are not designed to fail candidates but to enhance professional competence and merit-based progression. She emphasised that the old “fail one paper, fail all” policy has been replaced, allowing officers who fail a paper to resit only the failed subject in subsequent examinations. While the examination is regarded as compulsory, it is only mandatory for those who are prepared to progress in their careers as the examination is a prerequisite to confirmation, advancement and subsequent promotion in the service.

She further clarified that payment for the examinations is not new, as it has been an established practice over the years, assuring officers that the process will be transparent and fair.

It will be recalled that the Ministry of Establishments and Training recently concluded examinations for Clerical Officers at Grade Level 04 and related cadres in continuation of this reform process.

Abiodun Atilola

Head of Media and Publicity,

Office of the Secretary to the State Government / Head of Service. Ibadan.

The Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Governor’s Office,  Dr. Gbolagade Adekunle Oyedele is bowing out of the Oyo State Civil Service.

The Political Big Wigs, Legislature, Professionals and members of the Forum of Permanent Secretaries,  Executive Secretaries, General Managers, Inspectors General of Education and the Tutors General hailed him for serving Oyo State meritoriously with an unblemished track record.

Professor Olanike Adeyemo,  the Secretary to the Oyo State Government said Dr. Adekunle Oyedele has a lot of insight even beyond the mainstream administration, he was a good resource to the Government as the Permanent Secretary, General Administration. Governor’s Office, he was diligent and he was sharp dresser, he was somebody I am always proud of, Dr. Oyedele was a good representative of Civil Service by conduct and in all ramifications.

He has put a lot of value on himself and he is always available to do his work, I thank God for his life, congratulations,  Dr Adekunle Oyedele, I wish you God’s favour in your future endeavour.

Hon. Gbenga Oyekola is the Honourable Member representing Atiba State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly said he knew Dr. Oyedele closely when Late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was in office as the Executive Governor of Oyo State, we were so close when I came in 2013 as Honourable Member of the 8th Oyo State House of Assembly.

Dr. Adekunle Oyedele is a very meticulous person he always comes to the Assembly for presentation for the Governor’s Office Budget, in fact you will be happy listening to him when he is presenting the budget, very meticulous. very explanatory and humble, he is a meticulous person we will really miss him.

However, the State Commissioner for Finance,  Mr. Akinola Ojo in his remarks described Dr. Oyedele as an epitome of humility, brilliant, intelligent, witty and very hard working.

Dr. Debo Akande is the Director General, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) said he was so happy to work with Dr. Oyedele as the Director in the Agency.

Mr. Kola Badmus is the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) said Dr. Oyedele was his classmate since University days, he has a lot of academic records to his Honour, he has his MBA and PHD in Agriculture, he has been in the monitoring and evaluation of the then Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (OYSADEP) before it metamorphosed to OYSADA, he is hardworking and intelligent.

In Agricultural Policy Formulation, he has performed marvelously well, there is no policy we made in the Agricultural Sector that he did not participate in it, he has helped us to develop Agricultural policies in the State to the lofty heights, Agric Family will miss him.

Mr. Kareem Tunde Aiki is the Director Administration and Supplies, Governor’s Office said Dr. Oyedele is honest and dependable he likes to train officers under him to become a leader.

He said he served under him as a director “I can say that he is a boss whose character should be emulated, as he is serving as a gate keeper for our Boss, he is also serving as a gate keeper for us, the junior one s”.

“He takes up the responsibility of whatever mistake we make as if he was the one that made the mistake, he loves to follow the due process and the rule of law. I pray God in His infinite mercies will continue to shower His blessings on him as he is bowing out of the Oyo State Civil Service”.

Meanwhile, Former German’s Prime Minister and Sociologist “Max Weber“ said “The honor of the civil servant is vested in his ability to execute conscientiously the order of the superior authorities, exactly as if the order agreed with his own conviction.”

Congratulations, Dr. Gbolagade Adekunle Oyedele on your retirement as the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service of Oyo State.

Abiodun Atilola

Head of Media and Publicity, SSG/HOS Office

The Executive Chairman of Shooting Stars Football Club, Honourable Taiwo Lekan Salami, has commended the State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni, for her initiative in organising the ongoing 2025 Public Service Games.

He stated this during a football match between the Health Sector and the Oyo State House of Assembly Sector, which concluded with a 5-3 penalty shootout at the Ikolaba High School Mini Sports Complex, Agodi-GRA, Ibadan.

The Chairman of 3SC noted that the primary aim of the games is to foster team cohesion, emphasising that the competition organisers have exhibited a high level of professionalism.

He said, “I was previously unaware that such games could take place in Oyo State, and I am genuinely impressed by the professionalism demonstrated by the organisers. They have adeptly divided the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies into sectors, ensuring inclusivity for all civil/public servants. This initiative is highly commendable, as it underscores the importance of sports in maintaining fitness, even while we work.”

Honourable Salami expressed his gratitude to the State Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni, for ensuring that the games are inclusive for all civil servants, irrespective of age or grade level.

“I am witnessing the exceptional talent being displayed at the stadium, and it is truly commendable.”

Meanwhile, the Environment Sector progressed to the semi-finals of the ongoing Public Service Games after achieving a 1-0 victory over the Finance Family in an exhilarating quarterfinal match. Additionally, the Health Sector emerged victorious over the Legislative Sector in a 5-3 penalty shootout.

Fans and spectators described the matches as fiercely competitive, entertaining, and a significant highlight of the Public Service Week celebration.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS