By Otunba (Dr) Abdulfalil Abaymi Odunowo
For The Nation Backbone Newspaper
Public officials must always face scrutiny. Governments expend public funds and therefore owe citizens transparency, accountability, and tangible results. On this fundamental democratic principle, no reasonable observer can object to critiques of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration in Ogun State.
Yet criticism gains credibility only when anchored in evidence rather than sentiment or selective perception. It is difficult to square accusations that Ogun State has received “close to nothing” under Governor Abiodun with the verifiable record of infrastructure delivery, economic expansion, industrial attraction, and public investment across the state’s senatorial districts.
The central flaw in such critiques is the conflation of two distinct questions:
1. Has Ogun State solved all its longstanding development challenges?
2. Has the state recorded significant, measurable progress under the current administration?
The answer to the first is obviously no development is an ongoing journey. The answer to the second is emphatically yes, backed by data and visible outcomes.
Roads: The Most Visible Measure of Governance
Critics frequently highlight poor roads as proof of failure. Roads, however, are among the most verifiable indicators of governmental effort. In Ijebu-Ode alone, the Abiodun administration has awarded approximately 22 road projects, with 16 completed and others progressing. Key examples include: Awujale Road, Molipa Expressway, Molipa–Fusigboye–Ayegun–Ofosa Road, Ogbagba Street, Asafa Oke–Asafa Isale–Ofosa Road, Onijogbo–Olia–Saka Asiru Road, Ayegbami–Olu IGA Roads, Abeokuta Road–Omilowo–New Road Corridor, Ijebu-Ode Club Road, Awokoya Road, Igbeba–Talbot–Yidi Road, Tam Balogun Road, and Stadium/Luba Road.
Beyond Ijebu-Ode, major interventions span Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ilaro, Ota, Remo, Yewa, and Ogun East corridors including the Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda Road, Interchange Flyover, Atan-Lusada-Agbara improvements, Sagamu urban roads, and numerous township projects. Statewide, the administration has constructed or rehabilitated over 1,500 kilometres of roads more than the combined achievements of previous administrations over 16 years in some assessments.
Citizens can rightly demand more and faster delivery, especially in rural areas. That is a legitimate policy debate. Claiming “nothing” has been done ignores physical evidence used daily by residents.
The Investment and Revenue Dividend
One critique oddly cites rising Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as a negative. In reality, Ogun’s IGR has grown from roughly ₦50-52 billion in 2020 to over ₦192-240 billion annually by 2024/2025, with projections reaching ₦250-512 billion.
This surge does not occur in a vacuum. It reflects expanded business activity, improved tax administration, a more formalised economy, and heightened investor confidence. Ogun remains Nigeria’s premier industrial destination, attracting manufacturing investments through deliberate policy. Landmark projects include the operational Gateway International Airport, ongoing Kajola and Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Ports, and major inflows such as the world’s largest garment factory (a $2 billion+ partnership), cotton/polyester processing facilities, steel plants, and expansions by players like Dangote.
Debt in Context: Assets vs. Liabilities
Critics repeatedly invoke the state’s debt profile (around ₦494 billion as of late 2025). Debt, however, is neither inherently virtuous nor villainous. The decisive test is its purpose. Successful economies worldwide leverage borrowing for infrastructure that generates future returns.
Ogun’s borrowings have financed roads, industrial corridors, housing, schools, healthcare, and economic assets. Local debt rose from ₦133 billion in 2019 to ₦194 billion, with foreign components affected by naira devaluation yet the administration has stayed within fiscal responsibility guidelines while delivering visible infrastructure. Comparing raw debt figures without weighing created assets distorts reality. Historical context matters: previous governors like Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun also utilised debt and executed projects aligned with their priorities.
A Fair Historical Lens
Governor Gbenga Daniel laid foundational infrastructure. Senator Ibikunle Amosun delivered notable roads and public buildings. Governor Dapo Abiodun has prioritised comprehensive road rehabilitation, industrial expansion, urban renewal, housing, digital governance, and economic competitiveness embodied in the ISEYA agenda (Infrastructure, Social Welfare, Education, Youth Employment, Agriculture).
No administration inherits a blank slate or achieves perfection. Judging any solely by unfinished work would condemn every Nigerian governor. The equitable standard is net progress relative to inherited conditions and available resources.
“Not Enough” vs. “Nothing”: A Crucial Distinction
The emotional core of the critique that Ogun people received “close to nothing” fails under scrutiny. Legitimate concerns persist: development could be faster; rural roads need greater emphasis; healthcare and education investments could deepen; urban renewal could accelerate. These are valid calls for improvement.
But denying hundreds of kilometres of roads, flyovers, housing schemes, industrial growth, IGR expansion, airport functionality, and township projects equates to political slogan over objective record. The gap between “not enough” (a debate) and “nothing” (rhetoric) is vast.
Towards Balanced Accountability
A mature democracy requires both rigorous accountability and intellectual honesty. Citizens must demand better on budgets, project quality, education, healthcare, and equitable spread. Critics should equally acknowledge verifiable gains.
Governor Dapo Abiodun has not delivered utopia. No governor has. Yet the facts reveal a substantial record of infrastructure rebirth, economic momentum, and public investment amid real challenges. This balanced view neither hagiography nor condemnation better serves Ogun State’s future than dramatic rhetoric. The people deserve continued hard questions and recognition of progress as the state builds toward greater prosperity.
Signed
Otunba (Dr) Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo
National Chairman AATSG
ASIWAJU Ahmed Tinubu Support Group.
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