By Amebo Newspaper NG
The Ogun State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Solomon Adeola, has unveiled a nine-point development agenda and six institutional reform catalysts which he said would transform the state into a more prosperous, secure, industrialised and inclusive economy if elected governor in 2027.
Adeola unveiled the agenda on Friday, September 25, 2026, during a courtesy and familiarisation visit to the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta.
Speaking before journalists and other stakeholders, the senator described his proposed programme as a “covenant” with the people of Ogun State, pledging that his administration would be guided by measurable targets and open to public scrutiny.
He said the media would have a crucial role in holding his administration accountable for every promise made during the campaign.
“I stand before you not as a politician reciting promises, but as a son of Ogun State bringing you a covenant, a plan I intend to be held accountable to, page by page, project by project,” Adeola said.
The APC candidate said his decision to visit the NUJ before embarking on his statewide campaign was deliberate, describing journalists as custodians of public memory and an important component of the electoral process.
Adeola also thanked journalists in Ogun State for what he described as their support throughout his political journey, saying media reportage contributed to his emergence as senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in 2023 and subsequently as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
‘Ogun Must Exploit Its Strategic Location’
Presenting his vision for the state, Adeola said Ogun was strategically positioned to become one of Nigeria’s leading economic and export hubs because of its proximity to Lagos, its borders with neighbouring states and the Republic of Benin, as well as its access to the Atlantic Ocean.
He said the state could leverage its geographical position to become a major gateway to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to him, Ogun should move beyond merely serving as a transit route for economic activities and develop the infrastructure and industrial capacity required to retain greater value from trade.
He, however, acknowledged challenges confronting residents, including inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, healthcare pressures, transportation difficulties and limited economic opportunities.
Adeola said his proposed government would therefore focus on building an economy that works for residents across the state rather than one that benefits only selected communities.
Nine Cardinal Pillars
The first pillar of his agenda is infrastructure development, with proposed investments in electricity, digital connectivity, affordable housing and transportation.
Adeola said his administration would introduce the Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme on major corridors, including Abeokuta, Sango-Ota and Sagamu.
He also proposed collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to establish commuter rail connections between Abeokuta, Lagos and major industrial corridors.
Another proposed initiative, OgunRide, would provide an organised mobility platform for commercial drivers, tricycle and motorcycle operators, alongside access to health insurance, vehicle financing and cooperative support.
On tourism and creative arts, Adeola promised to develop Ogun's historical and cultural assets, including Abeokuta's heritage, Ijebu festivals and the coastal heritage of Ogun Waterside.
He also pledged support for the film, fashion, music and Adire industries, as well as sports tourism, while proposing a digital tourism portal to promote destinations across the state.
Education, Security and Healthcare
Under education and human capital development, the APC candidate said his administration would expand technical and vocational education, improve teacher availability and rehabilitate classrooms and other learning facilities.
He said the objective would be to equip young people with practical skills that could translate into employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
On security, Adeola proposed strengthening the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, establishing a Cybersecurity and Security Operations Centre and creating a Residents Identity Management Agency.
He said modern security technology and reliable identity infrastructure were necessary to support effective law enforcement.
In healthcare, the senator promised expanded healthcare infrastructure and the revitalisation of the state health insurance scheme, which he called “Ilera D'ero.”
He said the programme would target two million enrolled residents while his administration would invest in doctors, nurses and community health workers.
100,000 Young People to Receive Digital Skills Training
Adeola placed youth employment and empowerment prominently in his agenda, promising to train 100,000 young people in digital skills by 2031.
He said a Youth Enterprise Hub would be established in Abeokuta within his first six months in office, with satellite hubs across the state.
According to him, the programme would be supported by microcredit for young entrepreneurs, with a target of reducing youth unemployment by 40 per cent and contributing to the creation of more than 500,000 jobs.
He also promised multipurpose sports complexes in each senatorial district through public-private partnerships, grassroots talent centres and an Ogun Youth Sports Academy.
Agriculture and Industrialisation
On agriculture, Adeola promised to mechanise farming, expand farmer financing and develop processing hubs capable of converting agricultural produce into finished products.
He proposed a State-Supported Produce Market to improve the distribution of farm produce and reduce post-harvest losses.
The APC candidate also said climate-smart agriculture and agro-industrial parks would form part of his strategy to move farmers from subsistence production to commercially viable and export-oriented value chains.
For industrialisation, he promised support for entrepreneurship, public-private employment initiatives and agribusiness.
He also proposed establishing a Solid Minerals Development Company to facilitate licences and joint ventures in the state's mineral resources while bringing artisanal miners into the formal economy through simplified licensing and cooperative arrangements.
Eba, Tongeji Islands and Coastal Economic Corridor
Adeola devoted significant attention to the emerging oil and coastal development opportunities in Ogun State.
He said commercial oil drilling commenced at Eba Island in Ogun Waterside in January 2026, describing the development as an important step toward Ogun becoming an oil-producing state.
He also referred to exploration activities at Tongeji Island in Ipokia, saying the two locations could anchor what he described as a 200-kilometre Coastal Energy Corridor stretching from Ogun's border with the Republic of Benin to its boundary with Ondo State.
Adeola linked the proposed corridor to the long-term development of the Olokola Deep Seaport, which he described as a potential maritime gateway for the state.
He said any additional revenue accruing to Ogun from oil production must be managed transparently and used to address infrastructure and development needs, particularly in coastal communities.
Urban Renewal and Environmental Management
Under urban renewal and environmental sustainability, Adeola promised to rehabilitate slums, improve roads, water and sanitation infrastructure, and strengthen physical planning in rapidly growing communities.
He proposed relaunching the Ogun State Waste Management Agency, engaging licensed private operators for door-to-door waste collection and establishing recycling hubs and waste-to-energy plants.
He also pledged to work towards ending open defecation across the state by 2031.
Six Institutional Reform Catalysts
Beyond the nine development pillars, Adeola outlined six institutional reforms he described as necessary to ensure that the proposed agenda could be implemented effectively.
They include fiscal discipline and revenue mobilisation, justice sector reform, legislation reform, civil service reform, assets optimisation and commercialisation, and local government autonomy.
On revenue, he acknowledged the performance of the incumbent administration, stating that Ogun's revenue grew at a compound annual growth rate of 33 per cent between 2021 and 2024, while Internally Generated Revenue increased by 99 per cent.
Adeola said his administration would build on that foundation through a Single Window Revenue Collection System, with a target of increasing IGR by 40 per cent and land revenue three to five times by 2031.
He stressed that the proposal was not intended to impose new taxes but to improve collection efficiency and transparency.
Pledge on Local Government Autonomy
On local government administration, Adeola said resources should reach communities directly.
He referenced the 2024 Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy, promising that allocations would flow directly to Ogun's 20 Local Government Areas without state-level interception or diversion.
According to him, empowering local governments would make it easier to deliver roads, health centres, markets and other basic services closer to residents.
Press Freedom and Accountability
Adeola also made a specific commitment to the media, promising that his administration would comply fully with the Freedom of Information Act and hold regular press briefings.
He said journalists would be treated as partners in governance rather than adversaries.
“A government that fears scrutiny has already told you what it intends to hide, and that will not be this administration,” he said.
He also promised to pay greater attention to the welfare and safety of journalists working across the state.
‘Manifesto Must Become Government’
The APC candidate said his agenda would not remain a campaign document if he wins the 2027 governorship election.
He promised to develop an implementation plan containing measurable targets, performance agreements for government agencies and regular public reporting on progress.
Adeola said such an approach would allow residents and the media to monitor the delivery of his campaign promises.
He concluded by urging journalists to hold him accountable for every commitment contained in his proposed development plan.
“I do not come to you asking you to believe me. I come asking you to hold me to this manifesto, line by line, project by project,” he said.
Adeola described his campaign slogan as “Governance That Works for Everyone”, while reiterating the APC's message of “Itesiwaju Ipinle Ogun Lo Je Wa Logun” — stressing that the progress of Ogun State should remain the collective responsibility and aspiration of its people.
Editor’s note: The proposals and project claims above are presented as statements made by Senator Solomon Adeola during his September 25, 2026 address; their implementation would depend on electoral outcome, subsequent government decisions, funding and applicable legal/regulatory processes.
