Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has cleared the appointment of 10 Special Advisers, combining four new officials with six former appointees, as part of an effort to reinforce public administration, governance and service delivery across the state.
Key takeaways
- The State House of Assembly approved the governor’s request for the 10 advisory appointments.
- Professor James Olaleye will oversee e-GIS, Lands and Survey, while James Folorunso takes charge of the Bureau of Public Procurement.
- Three commissioner nominees have also received legislative confirmation, including Dayo Apata, SAN, as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
- Akintunde Oyebode has been confirmed for the finance portfolio, and Dr Oyebanji Filani for Health and Human Services.
- The advisers and commissioners are due to be sworn in on November 4, 2026, in Ado-Ekiti.
Special Adviser appointments
The new appointments include Professor James Olaleye as Special Adviser for e-GIS, Lands and Survey; James Folorunso as Special Adviser at the Bureau of Public Procurement; Dr John Moyo Ekundayo as Special Adviser in the Office of Transformation, Strategy and Delivery; and Bunmi Talabi as Special Adviser for the Bureau of Special Projects.
The returning officials are Olayinka Oyebode, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, who will serve as Special Adviser on Media; Princess Adetoun Agboola, appointed for Special Education and Social Inclusion; Dr Gbenga Oyewole, assigned to Development Planning and Budget; and Kayode Adaramodu, who will handle Economic Affairs and Private Sector Development.
Also returning are Ebenezer Boluwade as Special Adviser for Agriculture and Food Security, and Professor Akeem Azeez as Special Adviser on Special Duties.
Commissioner confirmations and inauguration
Separately, the Ekiti State House of Assembly has endorsed three commissioner-designate nominations submitted by Oyebanji. Dayo Apata, SAN, was confirmed as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, while Akintunde Oyebode was approved as Commissioner for Finance.
Dr Oyebanji Filani was confirmed as Commissioner for Health and Human Services.
The inauguration of the 10 Special Advisers and the three confirmed commissioners is set for Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the Osuntokun Pavilion in Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
