APC governorship candidate Senator Sharafadeen Alli has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda for Oyo State, promising a 13th-month salary for civil servants, greater autonomy for local governments and major investments in education, healthcare and job creation if elected in 2027.
Alli presented the proposals at a dialogue on the future of Oyo State organised by the Oyo Rising Citizens Forum (ORCF), where he outlined his plans for the state’s public sector and local government system.
Among his most significant pledges was a commitment to grant full financial and administrative autonomy to the state’s 33 Local Government Areas from May 29, 2027, if he becomes governor.
He also promised major changes to the education and healthcare systems, alongside measures aimed at stimulating agriculture, mining, manufacturing and youth employment.
Alli Promises Full Local Government Autonomy
A central part of Alli’s agenda is his proposed overhaul of local government administration.
The APC candidate said his administration would not use funds belonging to local governments and would allow councils to take responsibility for key services within their jurisdictions.
Under the proposal, local governments would be expected to finance and manage projects including schools and health centres while recruiting their own workers.
Alli said the approach would end what he described as the stifling of local councils and give them greater control over resources and development priorities.
The proposed policy would represent a significant change in how local government administration operates in the state.
13th-Month Salary for Oyo Workers
Alli also promised to introduce a 13th-month salary for civil servants if elected.
The pledge forms part of a broader proposal to improve the welfare of workers and ensure that salaries, pensions and gratuities are paid promptly.
He argued that improving workers’ welfare would be an important component of his administration’s approach to public-sector reform.
The candidate also addressed the welfare of professionals, including doctors, during the interactive session, where participants questioned him about healthcare and other issues affecting public servants.
Education Reform to Focus on Smaller Classes
Education featured prominently in Alli’s proposals.
He pledged to reduce classroom populations to a maximum of 30 pupils per class, arguing that smaller class sizes would improve learning conditions and create additional employment opportunities for teachers and fresh graduates.
To achieve that objective, he said his administration would employ more teachers to address existing shortages.
Alli also promised to train and retrain teachers as part of an effort to improve the quality of education across the state.
18% of State Budget for Education
The APC candidate said he would comply with the UNESCO recommendation of allocating at least 18% of the state budget to education.
The proposed allocation would support teacher recruitment, training and retraining as well as broader improvements to the education system.
Alli linked the education agenda not only to academic outcomes but also to employment, particularly through the recruitment of additional teachers.
His proposal would therefore combine increased public spending on education with an expansion of the workforce delivering educational services.
Healthcare Plan Covers All 33 LGAs
Alli’s healthcare proposal includes plans for a functional general hospital in each of Oyo State’s 33 Local Government Areas.
He also promised to establish at least one fully equipped Primary Healthcare Centre in each of the state’s 351 wards.
The proposal is aimed at expanding access to healthcare at both local government and community levels.
As an indication of his stated commitment to the plan, Alli said he would personally facilitate and commission at least three fully equipped health centres in Oyo South Senatorial District before the election and hand them over to the state government.
Alli Promises Action on Circular Road Dispute
The controversial Circular Road project was another major issue raised during the dialogue.
Alli promised to take action within 72 hours of assuming office, including establishing a committee within 48 to 72 hours to address grievances from residents affected by the project.
He said his administration would not seize residents’ land and would not sell state assets.
The pledge reflects one of the more contentious infrastructure and property issues discussed during the engagement.
Agriculture and Mining to Drive Economic Growth
Beyond public-sector reforms, Alli said his administration would seek to strengthen Oyo’s economy by making greater use of its agricultural and mineral resources.
He proposed establishing at least one cottage industry in each Local Government Area.
The aim, according to his agenda, would be to encourage local processing and create economic opportunities closer to communities rather than relying solely on large-scale industrial investments.
He also proposed installing parabolic dryers to support agricultural processing.
The plan includes dryers in all seven towns in Ibarapa and two in each senatorial district before December.
Such infrastructure would be intended to support agricultural value chains and reduce losses associated with post-harvest processing.
Youths and Women Feature in the Proposed Agenda
Alli also outlined plans focused on young people and women.
For youths, he promised greater access to vocational opportunities and participation in politics.
He also said women would be given important appointments under his proposed administration.
The commitments form part of a wider pledge to expand participation in government and provide more economic opportunities to different groups across the state.
Plan to Revive Oyo Broadcasting Corporation
The candidate also promised to revive the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).
While details of the proposed restructuring were not provided, the pledge forms part of his broader plans to reform state institutions and strengthen their effectiveness.
Alli’s proposals extend across several areas, including public administration, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, media and employment.
Candidate Faces Questions From Oyo Residents
The dialogue also provided participants with an opportunity to question Alli directly about his proposed policies.
Issues raised included electricity supply, allegations concerning the sale of state property, doctors’ welfare and revolving loans for traders.
According to the organisers, Alli responded to the questions with evidence and policy proposals.
The format gave participants an opportunity to challenge the candidate on specific issues rather than limiting the discussion to prepared campaign promises.
What Alli’s Agenda Would Mean for Oyo
If implemented, the proposals outlined by Alli would represent significant changes across several areas of Oyo State’s administration.
Local government autonomy would alter the relationship between the state government and the 33 councils, while the proposed education spending and smaller class sizes would require substantial investment in teachers and infrastructure.
Similarly, plans for hospitals and primary healthcare centres across all local government areas and wards would require significant financial and administrative commitments.
The proposed 13th-month salary, pension and gratuity payments would also have implications for the state’s recurrent expenditure.
Alli’s economic proposals, meanwhile, focus on agriculture, mining, cottage industries and processing infrastructure as potential drivers of employment and local economic activity.
With the 2027 governorship contest ahead, the proposals give voters a clearer picture of the policy priorities the APC candidate says he would pursue if elected.
The next stage will be scrutiny of the plans, including their projected costs, funding sources and implementation timelines, as the political contest in Oyo State develops.
