The Institute for Governance and Leadership Accountability (IGLA) has released its comprehensive 2025 end-of-year assessment of the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
It described the administration as focused, purposeful and steadily redefining governance through competence, accountability and people-centred service delivery.
The assessment was carried out across three states from each of the six geopolitical zones, with Lagos, Ogun and Ondo states sampled in the Southwest.
Unveiling the report in Abuja, the institute noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has, within a challenging national economic climate, recorded commendable progress in infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, justice administration, human capital development and social inclusion. The report credited the governor’s calm but decisive leadership style, strategic planning and insistence on performance as key drivers of the results recorded across ministries.
According to the assessment, the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, emerged as the overall best-performing member of the executive council (exco). The institute described his stewardship of the justice sector as exemplary, citing his firm defence of the rule of law, proactive legal reforms, institutional discipline and uncommon accessibility to both the public and professional stakeholders. His performance, the report stated, reflects intellectual depth, administrative efficiency and an unwavering commitment to justice as a foundation for good governance.
Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several committees and agencies within the government, including Anti-Human Trafficking, Anti-Land-Grabbing and serving as Special Adviser to the government on World Bank and related matters.
Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several critical statutory bodies and committees within the government, notably the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the Anti-Land-Grabbing Task Force, and the Office of the Public Defender. He also serves as the State Security Adviser on World Bank supported projects and related matters.
Ranking second was the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, whose strategic coordination of the state’s planning architecture and budgeting process was praised as central to the administration’s stability and fiscal coherence. The institute noted that his work has provided the economic compass guiding government priorities, aligning policy objectives with realistic revenue frameworks and development outcomes.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, placed third in the overall rankings. The report highlighted his steady leadership in strengthening health care delivery, improving responsiveness within the health system and prioritising the welfare of citizens through improved medical infrastructure and service coordination across the state.
In fourth position was the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, whose tenure was described as reform-driven and forward-looking. The institute commended his focus on improving learning environments, restoring confidence in public education and laying a sustainable foundation for human capital development through policy clarity and sectoral engagement.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ayorinde Olawoye, ranked fifth, earning recognition for visible progress in road construction, urban renewal and infrastructure maintenance across the state. His performance was noted for technical competence, project execution and alignment with the governor’s infrastructural vision.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye, placed sixth, with the report lauding her passionate advocacy for women, children and vulnerable groups, as well as her consistent grassroots engagement and social intervention initiatives.
Other commissioners were rated fairly across their respective portfolios, with performance scores reflecting varying degrees of achievement, responsiveness, accessibility and public engagement.
The institute said unlike perception-based polls, the assessment was conducted using measurable indicators including achievement, appearance, responsiveness, understanding of responsibility, accessibility, comportment, time management, communication ability, cordiality with workers, and cordiality with the public. Each commissioner was graded on a scale of 1 to 100 across these parameters.
The assessment exercise was conducted through a structured, evidence-based evaluation process carried out over several months. The exercise involved independent field observations, structured interviews, media performance reviews, stakeholder feedback, and desk analysis of policy outputs and service delivery records across ministries. To ensure balance and objectivity, the assessment drew inputs from civil servants, professionals, community leaders, media practitioners, and policy analysts, while also comparing performance benchmarks across three states selected from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This comparative approach allowed Ondo State’s cabinet performance to be measured against peer administrations operating under similar national economic conditions.
Speaking on the report, the Director of the institute, Dr. George Olayiwola Aladesuru, described Governor Aiyedatiwa’s exco as “a carefully assembled team of professionals whose collective output underscores the governor’s eye for capacity, character, and competence.” He added that the overall performance “speaks to leadership that values result over noise and service over spectacle.”
The institute further commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for building an exco that reflects balance, experience and dedication to public service, noting that the administration’s progress is a testament to purposeful leadership and teamwork.
It urged exco members to see the assessment as both an affirmation of effort and a roadmap for deeper engagement, improved accessibility, and even greater service to the people of Ondo State as the year draws to a close.
