President Bola Tinubu has approved the inclusion of the construction of Itawure–Aramoko–Ado Ekiti and Aramoko–Ijero–Ifaki Ekiti roads in the proposed 2026 budget of the Federal Government.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said a letter to this effect has since been forwarded from the Office of the President to the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, adding that the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, was also copied.

“The development was sequel to the visit of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Sunday, November 9th, 2025, where issues concerning the condition of federal roads in the State were discussed.

“There has been some public outcry and deliberate misinformation over the deplorable condition of some federal roads in the State, particularly the Itawure–Aramoko–Ado road.

“The Tinubu-led Federal Government has awarded three of such roads in the state and contractors have been mobilised to the site, while the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration has also constructed one of them — the Ado–Iworoko–Ifaki road — in addition to dozens of other inter-city and intra-city road projects it has embarked on in the last three years.”

According to Oyebode, when constructed the two newly approved roads would further ease travelling, enhance connectivity across different parts of the country and boost commercial activities.

He said that the roads would open up the state to greater economic opportunities and development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and the Shared Prosperity agenda of the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration.

“Governor Oyebanji, on behalf of Ekiti people, is thankful to President Tinubu for his strategic intervention in the socioeconomic and infrastructure development of Ekiti State, as well as other support the President has provided for the State.

“The Government of Ekiti State, under the leadership of Governor Oyebanji, is committed to the welfare and well-being of the citizens of the State and would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government, institutions, private sector players and development agencies in its development efforts.”

The Guardian reports that days ago, the Regent of Aramoko-Ekiti, Princess Sherifat Owolabi, called on Governor Oyebanji to prioritise the rehabilitation of roads in the town, warning that the worsening condition of the network is crippling local trade and deterring investors.

Speaking with journalists in Aramoko, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area, the Regent said the poor state of access roads had made the movement of goods and services difficult.

“Good roads do not just beautify a town; they open it up for development and investment. We are appealing to Governor Oyebanji to come to our aid and fix the roads. The government has been supportive in other areas, but we need more intervention to revive our economy,” she said.

Princess Owolabi noted that better road infrastructure would improve transport, enhance business confidence, and attract new investment to the community. She urged residents and indigenes in the diaspora to contribute to Aramoko’s growth by investing in housing and other ventures.

“Aramoko is peaceful; there is no conspiracy or witchcraft here. We need our people to come home and do great things,” she added. “If major transport companies begin to ply this route, it will greatly boost our local economy. Aramoko is different now, and the government should have mercy on us.”