Gov Makinde Taps US-Trained Defense Expert to Lead Oyo Security; Ex-LG Boss ‘AROSAD’ Takes the Reins of State Mineral Company

The Oyo State government has officially “rebooted” its security and economic engines with a fresh set of appointments aimed at strengthening the state’s internal defenses and solid mineral revenues. In a move that signals a pivot toward “high-tech” security management, Governor Seyi Makinde has appointed Abayomi Fagbenro, a veteran with deep roots in the United States military ecosystem, as his new Special Adviser on Security.

Fagbenro’s entry into the Agodi “trenches” comes at a critical time, following the resignation of Fatai Owoseni, who left the cabinet last week to join the 2027 transition race. Unlike a traditional political appointment, Fagbenro’s resume reads like a “technical manual” for modern defense; his background includes a stint at the US Department of Defense’s Army Network Enterprise Centre and an Information Systems degree from Strayer University. For Oyo residents, the hope is that this “US-trained” perspective will provide a new “security shield” against the kidnapping and banditry challenges currently facing the South-West.

On the economic front, the Pacesetter Mineral Development Company, the state’s primary portal for mining wealth now has a new captain in Saheed Arowosaye. Known widely as “AROSAD” in political circles, the former Oyo East Local Government chairman is being brought in to “unlock” the state’s buried treasures. His task is clear: transition Oyo from a state that merely “possesses” minerals to one that “processes” them, ensuring that the wealth from local mines stays within the state’s coffers.

The announcement, delivered via the office of the Chief of Staff, emphasizes a “no-nonsense” approach to the 2026 and 2027 administrative cycles. Governor Makinde has reportedly charged both men to hit the ground running, noting that the “honeymoon period” for these roles was over before it even began.

As the 2027 political atmosphere begins to swirl with speculation, these appointments suggest that Makinde is doubling down on “competence over cronyism.” By placing a defense professional in charge of safety and a seasoned grassroots administrator in charge of minerals, the administration is attempting a “technical rescue” of its core campaign promises. For the people of Oyo, the message is simple: the focus remains on keeping the state safe and the treasury full, regardless of the political noise.