By Oyo Amebo
What if true progress in Oyo State was not dictated by distant leaders or grandiose plans but born from the very fabric of the community?
Imagine a world where ordinary citizens, mothers, children, and neighbours, shape their own destinies, deciding what their communities need and how to achieve it.
This is not a distant dream; it is the reality unfolding in Oyo, a testament to the power of grassroots transformation.
Picture mothers accessing clean water from newly installed solar-powered boreholes that were absent just a year ago. Visualise children confidently walking along well-maintained paths to classrooms that once struggled to keep out the rain.
Neighbours engaging in meaningful discussions about the placement of future community health clinics, aware that their voices carry real weight.
This remarkable shift can be attributed to Honourable Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga, the Director-General of the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency.
Adeaga’s revolutionary approach flips traditional governance on its head. Instead of top-down directives, he believes development thrives when it comes from the community itself. It is the people who prioritise their needs, guide the initiatives, and share in the stewardship of their successes.
Since taking office in 2022, over 250 community-led initiatives have transformed towns, villages, and peri-urban areas, positively impacting more than 350,000 lives.
However, numbers alone cannot fully capture the depth of this change. The real impact is evident in everyday experiences: mothers no longer travel long distances to fetch water, teachers conduct lessons in safe, well-lit classrooms, and young people take an active role in shaping their futures. Development has become something tangible and personal, rooted in the lives of Oyo’s citizens.
At the heart of Adeaga’s approach is a commitment to listening and empowering communities. Residents contribute their land, labour, and oversight, while local monitoring committees ensure transparency and accountability.
This sense of shared responsibility fosters community ownership, guaranteeing that infrastructure is preserved and maintained long after projects are completed.
Inclusivity is a cornerstone of Adeaga’s philosophy. Widows operate thriving small businesses, orphans receive invaluable mentorship, and individuals with disabilities play vital roles in decision-making processes.
Women and young people are not only consulted; they are empowered to take the lead. This model fosters participatory governance, restoring trust and encouraging active civic engagement.
Even in the face of economic challenges, Adeaga ensures that projects remain sustainable by sourcing materials locally and implementing preventive maintenance strategies.
Communities are learning not only to manage their initiatives but also to hold the government accountable, turning passive participation into genuine empowerment.
The results across Oyo State are evident: clean water flows consistently, schools inspire and facilitate learning, women cultivate successful businesses, and youth actively influence community development. Each achievement reinforces a fundamental lesson: when the community leads, progress endures.
Through Adeaga’s people-centred approach, Oyo has uncovered a vital truth: sustainable advancement does not stem from imposition but from nurturing, involving, and empowering those it aims to benefit.
In this quiet yet impactful manner, development has ceased to be an abstract concept; it has become a reality owned by the people of Oyo.