Bola Oyebamiji: Beyond Skelewu Dancer: The Rising Technocrat Poised To Govern Osun State In 2026 By Wale Atoba

It is not news that Osun State is preparing for the 2026 governorship election, specifically, August 8th, and one name increasingly stands out as the embodiment of a new paradigm: Ambassador Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, also known as AMBO. A deeper analysis reveals that Oyebamiji represents what many who understand governance in the state now crave – substantive, technocratic governance that will address the imbalances created by the Skelewu era. The AMBO’s credentials speak to a career built on competence rather than celebrity or dynasty-driven.

I had the opportunity to engage with him when he was Commissioner for Finance under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, and I asked him how he managed the economy of Osun State with less than N3 billion in monthly allocations, when the state was in the midst of the most fiscally challenging era in Nigeria’s recent history. He demonstrated fiscal discipline and strategic resource management, which kept the state functional despite the miniature resources available for the government across the levels in Nigeria.

His recent enrollment at Obafemi Awolowo University further solidifies his profile as someone who will bring much-needed educational reforms to the governance of the state, where urgent attention is needed. The educational system in the state has suffered from budget allocation without implementation over the last four years. In Osun State today, the ratio of students to teachers is considered an aberration, with classrooms empty of teachers due to non-employment of teachers to fill the gaps created by retirees. The results of the students’ performance in external examinations in Osun State are a testament to the contribution of private schools in the state.

The next governance team in Osun State requires more than cultural connectivity and dance floor charisma. Osun State needs a governor who understands debt restructuring, fiscal sustainability, and innovative revenue drives, which are Oyebamiji’s core competencies. The public schools are waiting for systemic rejuvenation, not just periodic interventions. As a man with unambiguous credentials, he will surely redesign the state’s educational framework and make the public school environment friendly.

No doubt, there are imbalances in the state’s infrastructure development. If I don’t have knowledge of each community, my community, Obaagun, has received an infrastructural deficit from the present government, despite being reminded of promises made during the electioneering campaign. The generality of Osun State, not just a segment, requires healthcare facilities, roads, and drinkable water. Osun needs project management expertise and public-private partnership structuring skills, honed through years of public finance administration – Oyebamiji stands out.

The state’s agricultural potential remains untapped or underutilized. I have great confidence that Oyebamiji can implement value-chain development models that will transform farming into an economic engine and cash cow for the state. The state must move beyond political theatre and prioritize substance over symbolism; otherwise, it will continue to be known for Skelewu movies with uneven development.

It is often said that populist symbolism promises connection but provides unsustainable policies, prioritizing political immediate gains over long-term development. Oyebamiji represents technocratic governance, prioritizing data-driven decisions, institutional strengthening, and strategic planning – the unglamorous but necessary work of statecraft.

Some may argue that a technocrat cannot win an election, but the political landscape on August 8th, 2026, in Osun State will provide an answer. The youths in the state will vote for a politician who prioritizes job creation, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and digital infrastructure over political theatrics. Oyebamiji will benefit from the still-formidable political machinery of the Federal Government, built on delivery rather than drama.

Without any insight into Oyebamiji’s agenda, I am sure it would include:

– Osun Economic Agenda for 2030, a decade-long transformative plan
– Digital literacy from primary to tertiary levels
– Healthcare: attracting private partnerships to revamp health infrastructure
– Moving Osun State from raw production to value-added manufacturing
– Enabling governance monitoring, with real-time tracking of budgets, projects, and performance indicators
– Focusing on inclusive infrastructure development, not just certain segments
– Yearly teacher employment and capacity building for teachers on modern teaching methodologies

In conclusion, as the state moves closer to the governorship election, Osun State cannot continue with political symbolism but must move towards substantive statecraft, which Ambassador Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji represents – not as a charismatic firebrand, but as a principled financial manager with the technical capacity, capability, and educational prowess to navigate the complexities of governance. With mounting unemployment, infrastructure imbalances, and governance deficiencies, Oyebamiji’s candidacy offers Osun State an opportunity to transcend political theatre and embrace equal development and focused governance. The August 8th, 2026, governorship election is beyond Skelewu dance, beyond political dynasty, and beyond empty promises; it’s about competence getting its chance. Oyebamiji stands ready for the task ahead, not with dance moves, but with blueprints, true financial positions, and a proven track record of getting the uneasy task of governance done without favour and with fear of his Creator.