Oyebanji Reappoints Ekiti Accountant-General Olayinka After Retirement

• Governor Biodun Oyebanji has reappointed Mrs. Titilayo Olayinka as Ekiti State Accountant General, effective immediately after her retirement at age 60.
• Mrs. Olayinka previously served as Accountant General from November 2019 to August 2026 and is tasked with establishing a comprehensive training program for state accountants.
• Her reappointment reflects Governor Oyebanji's focus on retaining competent leadership and leveraging her extensive experience in fiscal management.
• Under her prior tenure, Ekiti State achieved top rankings in fiscal transparency and budget accessibility, recognized by bodies like BudgIT and PLSI.
• This move aligns Ekiti State with others like Enugu and Osun in re-engaging retired financial experts for key public sector roles.

Over the past six years, Mrs. Olayinka has been widely acknowledged for her instrumental contributions to Ekiti State's improved standing in accountability, transparency, and fiscal management.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has confirmed the reappointment of Mrs. Titilayo Olayinka as the Accountant General for Ekiti State. This significant decision, approved on a Tuesday, became effective immediately, following closely on the heels of her recent retirement from the State Civil Service.

Mrs. Olayinka had concluded her tenure as Accountant General/Permanent Secretary just 24 hours prior, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 60. The announcement, issued by Yinka Oyebode, the Governor's Special Adviser on Media, from Ado Ekiti, signals a strategic move by the administration to retain experienced leadership in a critical financial role, with Oyebanji reappointing Ekiti Accountant-General Olayinka.

The decision to reappoint Mrs. Titilayo Olayinka underscores Governor Oyebanji's commitment to securing highly competent individuals for pivotal roles within his administration, particularly as preparations for a potential second term gain momentum. Her previous service as the state's Accountant General spanned from November 28, 2019, until August 24, 2026, during which she garnered extensive experience in the Ekiti State Accountant General office.

In her renewed capacity, Mrs. Olayinka is expected to leverage her considerable expertise in accounting, auditing, project management, expenditure control, and procurement. A key directive from the Governor for her new assignment is the establishment of a comprehensive training program. This initiative aims to bolster the professional capabilities of accountants across the entire State Civil Service, aligning with the administration's focus on enhancing civil service professional capacity as part of Biodun Oyebanji government appointments.

Mrs. Olayinka brings a robust academic and professional background to her role, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Her career encompasses extensive experience across the private sector, public sector, and international development.

Over the past six years, Mrs. Olayinka has been widely acknowledged for her instrumental contributions to Ekiti State's improved standing in accountability, transparency, and fiscal management. These efforts have yielded significant positive outcomes, recognized by various reputable bodies and institutions. Notably, Ekiti State achieved the number one ranking in the BudgIT State Fiscal Transparency League for Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2024, and for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 of 2025.

The state was also identified by PLSI as a leader in local government budget transparency and the Subnational Audit Efficacy Index. Furthermore, Ekiti State was rated among the top 10 states nationally for publishing detailed and accessible budget information for all its Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas. These accolades collectively highlight the state's strong competence, transparency, effective auditing processes, and prudent financial management, solidifying Ekiti fiscal transparency leadership.

Ekiti State's decision to re-engage a retired Accountant General places it alongside other states like Enugu, Osun, and Akwa Ibom, which have similarly opted to appoint seasoned retired professionals to this crucial financial office. This approach contrasts with that of states such as Kwara, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, and Katsina, which have chosen to recruit professionals from outside the civil service to fill their respective State Accountant General positions, reflecting diverse Nigeria public sector reappointments strategies.

Governor Oyebanji extended his congratulations to Mrs. Olayinka, urging her to continue her service with enhanced distinction and dedication, while also commending her for her prior meritorious contributions to the state. This continuity in fiscal leadership, coupled with the explicit mandate for professional development, offers important insights for legal professionals advising on public sector engagement or procurement within Ekiti State, suggesting a stable and capacity-focused administrative environment.

Lawyers advising on public sector engagement or procurement in Ekiti State should note the continuity in fiscal leadership and the stated commitment to enhancing civil service professional capacity, which may influence future policy and contract opportunities.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper