Aiyedatiwa Reinvigorates Ondo Civil Service With 32 New Permanent Secretaries

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has taken a decisive step toward restructuring the state’s administrative engine by approving the appointment and confirmation of 32 new Permanent Secretaries. This major shake-up, announced Monday through a formal communiqué from the Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, marks a significant shift in the state’s leadership hierarchy as it enters the second month of 2026.

The move is being characterized by insiders as a strategic effort to inject fresh energy into the civil service, ensuring that the wheels of governance turn with greater precision. By elevating these career officers, the Governor appears to be rewarding merit and seniority while simultaneously preparing the bureaucracy for the challenges of a new fiscal year.

The list of appointees reflects a diverse cross-section of the state’s professional talent. Prominent among those stepping into these high-ranking roles are Mrs. Tayo Ogundare, Mrs. Morayo Bayo-Philip, and Adeyemi Sule. They are joined by Mrs. Olufunso Tunji-Omoniyi, Olanrewaju Abiodun, Tope Lebile, and Stephen Aworere, all of whom have been tasked with overseeing critical ministerial portfolios.

Other notable names in this massive administrative wave include Omotayo Akeju, Olufemi Moyinolorun, Olakunle Ajibade, Mrs. Oluwakemi Akinyemi, and Bamidele Daisi. Each of these individuals brings years of experience to the table, and their elevation is seen as a fulfillment of the Governor’s promise to maintain a robust and functional workforce.

The appointments continue with Akinluyi Omotola, Olumide Kinga, Mrs. Ope Adetoye, and Olusiji Olatunji. The Governor also confirmed the promotion of Mrs. Oluseyi Odusola, Mrs. Funke Adelayi, and Dr. Akindele Ige. This cadre of officers will be responsible for translating the administration’s policy directives into tangible results for the citizens of Ondo.

Technical expertise was also a priority in this round of selections. The list includes Olanrewaju Akarakiri, Dr. Mrs. Abike Ilawole, Tpl Abimbola Tofowomo, and Kolawole Kayode. The Governor’s office emphasized that these choices were made to ensure that specific sectors, ranging from urban planning to healthcare, have seasoned hands at the helm.

Further rounding out the list of 32 are Dr. Peter Akingbade, Ayodeji Ogudare, Adeduro Akinbola, and Ibidapo Ojo. Completing the roster of new Permanent Secretaries are Olusegun Orisabinone, Surv Idowu Owolabi, Adeoye O. Atibioke, Mrs. Toyin Awotoye, and Ayodeji Ayeku. This comprehensive list suggests a total overhaul intended to fill vacancies left by retirements and to strengthen departmental oversight.

Beyond the core civil service, Governor Aiyedatiwa has also filled vital statutory roles to ensure transparency and data-driven governance. Olusola Sunday Ajayi has been tapped to serve as the Statistician-General, a role that will be pivotal in measuring the state’s developmental progress.

In a move focused on fiscal accountability, Dr. Charles Tunde Ojuolape has been nominated as the Auditor-General for Local Governments. His confirmation, however, remains subject to the final nod from the Ondo State House of Assembly, a standard legislative procedure to ensure checks and balances at the grassroots level of administration.

The effective date for all these appointments has been backdated to February 1, 2026. This retroactivity ensures that the new leaders can immediately assume their responsibilities and that there is no vacuum in the decision-making process within the various ministries and agencies.

While the names have been released and the roles formalized, the official swearing-in ceremony is still pending. The state government has indicated that a date for this ceremonial induction will be announced shortly, where the new appointees will take their oaths of office and allegiance.

This latest development is not an isolated event but part of a broader “repositioning” agenda spearheaded by the Aiyedatiwa administration. It follows a series of reforms designed to boost morale within the workforce. Only recently, the government distributed operational vehicles to the previous batch of Permanent Secretaries to enhance their mobility and efficiency in the field.

By focusing on the welfare and professional advancement of the civil service, the Governor is signaling that his administration views the bureaucracy not as a stagnant entity, but as a dynamic partner in state-building. The expectation now is that these 32 officers will lead their respective departments with a renewed sense of urgency and transparency.

As the state transitions into this new administrative era, observers will be watching closely to see how these appointments impact the speed of project execution and the quality of public service delivery. For now, the mood within the Alagbaka Government House is one of optimism, as the state prepares to welcome a new generation of top-tier administrators.