Ibadan, Nigeria—In a move that has reignited public criticism and internal unrest, Mrs. Lola Osanyin has officially resumed duty at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) following her recent appointment as a contract staff member, despite widespread appeals to the Oyo State Government to halt the return of retired personnel to public service positions.
Mrs. Osanyin, a former top executive at BCOS who retired from civil service, has now taken up a new contract role at the corporation. This decision has been stiffly resisted by stakeholders across the media and civil society landscape in Oyo State.
The appointment, which many have described as controversial, flies in the face of persistent calls to Governor Seyi Makinde to end the recurring trend of returning retired officials to contract roles—particularly in key government-owned institutions like BCOS. Critics argue that this practice stifles opportunities for younger professionals and undermines efforts to promote institutional renewal.
“It’s disheartening to see yet another retired official return to an already overstretched public media space, while many competent, unemployed youths in the state remain sidelined,” said one BCOS staff member who requested anonymity. “The public made it clear: we need fresh minds, not recycled ones.”
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Mrs. Osanyin’s resumption has further fueled speculation about favouritism and a lack of merit-based recruitment policies at the state level. While some insiders at BCOS have cited her depth of experience and institutional knowledge as reasons for her reappointment, many believe it sets a troubling precedent that contradicts the governor’s oft-repeated pledge to reform the state’s civil service and create more opportunities for youth.
Civil society organisations have condemned the move as “tone-deaf,” especially in light of ongoing advocacy efforts to curtail post-retirement appointments in Oyo State’s public service. Several groups have renewed their appeal to Governor Makinde to intervene and reverse what they consider a step backwards in public sector reform.
“Resuming this appointment in the face of public objection is not just controversial—it’s dismissive of the people’s voice,” said a statement released by a local media advocacy coalition.
As the controversy continues to unfold, attention has shifted to the state executive council and the BCOS board, with mounting pressure to clarify the criteria used for such appointments and whether public interest was truly considered.
Whether Mrs. Osanyin’s tenure in this new role will help stabilise the institution or further fracture public trust remains to be seen. But for now, her resumption has fueled a long-standing debate on the future of public service appointments in Oyo State.