Makinde Delivers on Pledge to Appoint Women into Key Government Positions

When Governor Seyi Makinde campaigned for his first term in 2019, one of his stated commitments was to ensure greater female representation in Oyo State’s governance structure. Over the course of that administration (May 2019 – May 2023), this promise was translated into concrete appointments that shifted the gender balance in the state’s civil and political leadership.

One of the most significant early moves came in June 2019, with the appointment of Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun as Secretary to the State Government — the first woman in Oyo’s history to occupy the position. Adeosun, a licensed pharmacist and chartered human resources practitioner with a background in the oil and gas sector, brought both corporate expertise and symbolic significance to the role. Makinde, in announcing her appointment, explained that the decision reflected his “firm belief in women’s inclusiveness and diversity in government” and shows his intention to attract “talented technocrats” to drive the state’s transformation agenda.

                                                       Gov. Sey Makinde and the SSG, Olubamiwo Adeosun

Beyond political appointments, Makinde extended this policy of inclusion to the state’s civil service. In August 2019, a swearing-in ceremony saw multiple women elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary. Among them were Mrs. Olubunmi Olufunke Oni, Mrs. Adejoke Eyitayo, Mrs. Sadiat Bolatumi Oloko, Mrs. Abosede Abioye, and Dr. (Mrs.) Mercy Iyabo Popoola. These appointments, drawn from various ministries and departments, were part of a broader restructuring that, according to the governor, sought to place “qualified and committed officers” in strategic positions to meet the expectations of the people.

                                Gov. Seyi Makinde alongside the five new permanent secretaries

The trajectory continued into subsequent years. In another swearing-in round, Atere Aminat Bamidele (Ministry of Education), Fasina Adenike Ayobami (Ministry of Finance), and Grace Olabisi Oderinde (Teaching Service Commission) joined the leadership cadre of the civil service. The governor reiterated that the selection process was based on merit, urging the appointees to see their roles “as a call to service” rather than personal achievement.

                            Gov. Seyi Makinde and the newly appointed permanent secretaries

By the close of his first term, the combination of political and civil service appointments had elevated a notable number of women to positions of influence. While the exact proportion of female leaders in the state still fell short of parity, the appointments marked a deliberate and measurable shift from previous administrations that often left women underrepresented in key decision-making spaces.

Governor Makinde’s appointments fulfilled not only a campaign pledge but also responded to the wider national and global discourse on gender inclusivity in governance. As he stated during one of the swearing-in ceremonies, “Oyo State is expecting so much from you” — a charge that applies equally to male and female appointees but carries particular weight for the women whose presence in such roles signals a gradual dismantling of long-standing political barriers.

Whether future administrations will sustain and expand this representation remains to be seen, but the record from 2019 to 2023 stands as an example of how electoral promises on inclusion can translate into tangible leadership opportunities for women.