The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has unveiled a nine-point development agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Adeola unveiled the programme, tagged “Itesiwaju,” during a visit to the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre in Abeokuta. He said the blueprint had been developed over the past two years and was designed to address key challenges in infrastructure, employment, security, education, healthcare, agriculture and industrialisation.
The nine pillars of the programme are:
- Infrastructure
- Tourism and Culture
- Education and Human Capital Development
- Security and Law Enforcement
- Inclusive Health and Well-being
- Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, Education and Youth Development
- Agricultural Transformation and Food Security
- Job Creation and Industrialisation
- Urban Environment and Physical Development
Adeola said the programme would also be supported by institutional reforms focused on fiscal discipline and revenue mobilisation, legislative reform, civil service and justice reform, asset optimisation and commercialisation, as well as local government autonomy.
TRANSPORTATION AND CONNECTIVITY
On transportation, Adeola proposed an Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme covering major routes such as Abeokuta, Ota, Sagamu and Ijebu, with organised terminals and improved inter-city connectivity.
He also said he would work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to introduce commuter rail services connecting Abeokuta with Lagos and linking Ogun’s industrial corridor to the Lagos rail network.
Another proposal is the “Ogun Ride” mobility platform for cars, tricycles and motorcycles. According to Adeola, the platform would provide operators with access to health insurance, vehicle financing and cooperative schemes.
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Adeola said his proposed administration would pursue affordable housing and establish new town development areas, particularly around border communities and rapidly growing corridors.
He said planned residential communities would help reduce pressure on existing urban centres while providing residents with better infrastructure and public services.
He also promised to address the proliferation of shanties and poorly planned settlements along the Lagos-Ogun boundary and give greater attention to border communities.
JOB CREATION AND INDUSTRIALISATION
On employment, Adeola said he would seek stronger partnerships with industries operating in Ogun State to ensure that qualified residents benefit from employment opportunities created by businesses in the state.
He also highlighted mining as another area of economic potential, promising to pursue opportunities in the sector and ensure that Ogun derives greater benefits from its mineral resources.
TOURISM, CULTURE AND CREATIVE ECONOMY
Adeola identified tourism, culture and the creative economy as areas with potential to generate employment and revenue.
He cited Abeokuta’s history, the Ojude Oba Festival, Ogun Waterside’s coastal heritage, Adire, film, fashion and music as areas that could be further developed.
He also commended Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration for its investment in tourism, particularly the renovation and development of Olumo Rock.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAINTENANCE
The APC candidate placed emphasis on maintaining public infrastructure after construction.
He said agencies such as the Ogun State Public Works Bureau and environmental agencies would be expected to maintain roads and other public facilities continuously rather than allowing completed projects to deteriorate.
He also promised continuity in infrastructure development while addressing what he described as gaps in transportation, housing, rail, water transportation and other sectors.
SPORTS AND MEDIA
Adeola described sports development as a tool for youth empowerment and economic growth.
He pledged to support Gateway Football Club and other sporting activities while encouraging greater participation from industries through corporate social responsibility and sponsorship.
He also proposed reforms for the state-owned media organisations, Ogun State Television (OGTV) and Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), with the aim of repositioning them to operate at a standard comparable with leading private television and radio organisations.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TRANSPARENCY
Adeola promised to strengthen local government administration and implement what he described as “local government autonomy in the real sense of it.”
He pointed to Lagos State as an example of how local governments could take responsibility for development projects while receiving complementary funding and supervision from the state government.
He also pledged full compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and promised regular substantive press briefings.
According to him, journalists would be treated as partners in governance, with attention given to their welfare and safety.
INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Adeola highlighted several proposed developments that he said could have economic implications for Ogun State, including a proposed deep-sea port, a planned dairy investment in the Yewa area, furniture manufacturing and oil exploration activities around Ipokia and Tongeji Island.
He said these developments could strengthen Ogun’s position as an industrial and commercial hub.
Adeola urged journalists to hold him accountable for the commitments contained in his manifesto if he is elected governor.
He said his administration would attach measurable targets to its programmes and publish reports on their implementation.
