Akinwale Leads Oyo Delegation To Global Mayors’ Conference In Abuja

By Hamidat Yahaya, Abuja

Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), Hon. Wole Akinwale, will lead a delegation from the state to the 8th edition of the Papyrus Global Mayors Conference and Awards (PAGMACA) 2026, scheduled to hold in Abuja.

The three-day conference, organised by The Papyrus Global, is billed for April 29 to May 1 at The Palms Hotel in the Federal Capital Territory.

With the theme, “Strengthening Local Governance for Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable African Communities,” the event is expected to attract a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including local government officials, policymakers, development partners, and governance experts from Nigeria and across the world.

Participants are expected from the United States, Europe, Asia, and over 20 African countries, making the conference one of the continent’s key gatherings on grassroots governance and policy development.

Sources within the Oyo State LGSC say Akinwale’s participation reflects the state government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening local governance structures, improving administrative efficiency, and promoting sustainable development at the grassroots level.

The conference will feature discussions on governance innovation, institutional capacity-building, community resilience, and strategic partnerships to enhance service delivery within local government systems.

Akinwale, who heads the commission responsible for overseeing local government administration and human resource management in Oyo State, is expected to engage with global counterparts and contribute to policy dialogues that could shape future governance frameworks in Nigeria and beyond.

Observers note that Oyo State’s participation signals its growing interest in global best practices and collaborative approaches to local governance.

Speaking on the participation, the Managing Director of The Papyrus Global, Hon. Chief Doofan Damsa-Justin, described the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission’s involvement as strategic and impactful.

She noted that as a key institution responsible for policy implementation, workforce management, and discipline within the local government system, the Commission’s presence at the conference reinforces the importance of institutional collaboration in strengthening governance at the grassroots.

She further stated that the Oyo delegation’s participation reflects a broader commitment by critical stakeholders to advancing effective local governance in Nigeria.

She used the opportunity to call on other Local Government Service Commissions and their Chairmen across the country to attend the conference with well-represented delegations, in order to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and collectively enhance service delivery in the nation and by extension the continent.

PAGMACA has, over the years, positioned itself as a leading platform for recognising excellence in grassroots leadership while fostering international cooperation in governance.