Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on Thursday officially opened the 30th National Council on Works (NCW), welcoming commissioners and permanent secretaries from all 36 states to discuss ways of advancing Nigeria’s infrastructure. The governor highlighted his administration’s achievements in road construction and rehabilitation, describing the projects as a “road revolution” that has improved connectivity, eased access to schools and healthcare facilities, and boosted local commerce.
Oyebanji also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his federal interventions, citing the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki dual carriageway as a prime example of state-federal collaboration. “Our administration has invested deliberately in infrastructure as a driver of economic growth and social development,” he said, adding that hosting the council reflected Ekiti’s growing reputation for innovation and good governance.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, represented by the Minister of State, Mohammed Bello Goronyo, commended both the president and the governor for their commitment to infrastructure renewal. He singled out the recently completed Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport as a transformative project that has positioned the state to attract investment and stimulate economic growth. Speaking on the council’s theme, “Discipline, Transparency and Innovation in Engineering Practice,” he stressed the importance of accountability, integrity, and modern engineering solutions in infrastructure delivery.
Over the three-day council sessions, 62 proposals were adopted, focusing on better monitoring and evaluation of projects, transparent publication of progress updates, harmonization of road initiatives to prevent duplication, and the promotion of public-private partnerships. The discussions also emphasized the adoption of climate-resilient materials, solar-powered street lighting, digital technologies, and stronger maintenance responses through FERMA’s Direct Labour Unit.
Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, thanked the governor and all stakeholders for their contributions, noting that the council’s resolutions would improve efficiency, transparency, and innovation in the nation’s road sector. The 30th NCW concluded with a pledge to sustain disciplined and innovative infrastructure practices, while Sokoto State was announced as the tentative host for the 31st council in 2026.
