The President of the Hoteliers Association of Oyo State, Mr Ayodele Ogundele, has commended Governor ‘Seyi Makinde for transforming Oyo State into a near 24-hour economy through deliberate and impactful policies.
Ogundele, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Davies Hotel, Ibadan, made this known in an interview with The People’s Verdict, where he praised the governor’s administration for creating an enabling environment that supports businesses to thrive even late into the night.
According to him, while hotels have traditionally operated round the clock, Ibadan is now witnessing the emergence of other sectors, including supermarkets and eateries, that stay open 24 hours – a development he attributes to Makinde’s forward-thinking policies.
“Governor Makinde’s policies have been extremely beneficial. When he came, he started with electrification and lighting up the streets – the Light Up Oyo Project. There was a lot of talk about him just wasting money. But right now, we can see the benefits,” Ogundele said.
“You go out at 1am, you can find somewhere to eat, drink or sleep, and you feel safe. People leave their places of work, their hotels, at 2am and drive home safely. These are the benefits of his policies.”
Ogundele traced the beginning of the state’s economic turnaround to 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike most states that imposed full lockdowns, Makinde introduced a curfew between 6am and 6pm, which allowed businesses to function during the day and saved many from collapse.
“That move was a masterstroke. From there, there has been stability,” he noted. “Today, when you step out in Ibadan at 9pm or 10pm, it’s like 5pm in other states. There are supermarkets that are open for 24 hours – that’s an important sign of a vibrant economy.”
“I know at least four shops that have opened in Ibadan in the past 18 months that now operate round the clock. No one will keep a store open 24 hours, run electricity, and pay staff if people are not coming in to buy. That alone shows how alive the local economy is.”
Speaking on regulatory reforms, Ogundele said the hotel industry had suffered under previous administrations due to multiple taxations. However, the Makinde administration introduced a harmonized tax system that clarified hoteliers’ obligations and encouraged compliance.
“Under Governor Makinde, we now have a harmonized bill. This is encouraging more hoteliers to register with the government and pay their taxes because they can see the results in better roads and improved security,” he said.
“In Ibadan, we have not had any major security issue in the past four or five years. Infrastructure is improving, and investment is following. People are building new hotels in newly opened-up areas. It’s all part of a thriving economy.”
On his assessment of the Makinde administration, Ogundele was emphatic in his praise.
“The administration of Seyi Makinde has been a blessing to Oyo State. The new roads being constructed are a massive benefit and are being done without much fanfare. All of them come with perfect drainage. It’s fantastic.”
“This is the first time I’m seeing a second-term governor with nearly 24 months left in office still embarking on such extensive developmental work. We thank Governor Makinde for his efforts.”
Describing the governor’s personality, he concluded:
“Governor Makinde is a passionate man – passionate about his job, his people, and building a lasting legacy. Most importantly, he’s an extremely humble personality.”
