By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has announced the appointment of Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, currently the Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, as the new Chief of Staff to the Governor.

The appointment takes effect from January 2, 2025.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, highlighted Adebayo’s extensive expertise in finance, management, and planning, which is expected to enhance the coordination of activities within the Governor’s office.

In a related move, the Governor has named Hon Femi Ajayi as the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning.

Ajayi, a former Commissioner for the same ministry, currently serves as the Special Adviser to the Governor at the Independent Project Monitoring Office.

He is set to assume his new role on 2 January 2025, as the ministry reverts to its original name.

The Governor has also established the Office of Special Services, appointing Prince Wole Ajakaiye as Special Adviser to oversee the office. Ajakaiye, who is presently the Director General/Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will now be responsible for SDGs, Independent Project Monitoring, and other functions as assigned by the Governor.

Profile of Oyeniyi Adebayo; A native of Usi-Ekiti, Adebayo joined the Biodun Oyebanji administration as Special Adviser on Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management in November 2022 before his elevation to Commissioner in August 2023.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Resources Management and a Master’s in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan, alongside an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Adebayo has also attended leading business schools, including Harvard Business School, INSEAD, and Kellogg School of Business.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Adebayo began his career at Arthur Andersen, offering audit and financial consultancy services to top oil and gas and manufacturing firms.

His professional journey includes stints at Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management in Los Angeles, Capital Alliance Private Equity, and roles in the banking sector at United Bank for Africa (UBA), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), and Enterprise Bank, where he served as an Executive Director until December 2014.

After leaving the banking industry, Adebayo founded Bodani Advisory Services Limited, a financial advisory and management consulting firm, serving as its Chief Executive Officer.

Other Appointments; in another development, Governor Oyebanji has appointed Barrister Tajudeen Akingbolu as the Director General of the newly established Ekiti State Transport Agency.

A former member of the State House of Assembly, Akingbolu will assume his duties on 2 January 2025.

Governor Oyebanji expressed confidence in the appointees’ abilities and urged them to deliver on their mandates, contributing to effective service delivery across their respective portfolios.