The Ogun State Government announced yesterday that more than 72,000 people have benefited from the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), a World Bank–assisted initiative that has now reached its completion stage in the state.
According to the government, the beneficiaries include 39,000 individuals trained through its skills-development programme and 33,075 farmers who received inputs, feeds, mechanisation support, and improved facilities. The project also enabled the issuance of more than 15,000 Certificates of Occupancy.
Chairman of the Project Steering Committee (PSC), Dapo Okubadejo, described the results as unprecedented. Speaking during the eighth and final Implementation Support Mission in Abeokuta, Okubadejo said the achievements reflect Governor Dapo Abiodun’s broader economic vision to strengthen institutions, build human capital, and create new economic opportunities across the state.
Okubadejo, who also serves as Commissioner for Finance, highlighted several key outcomes: the rehabilitation of seven zonal e-planning and land administration centres; the deployment of a modern GIS and remote-sensing system; and reforms that have made land processes more transparent and more efficient.
In agriculture, he said farmers received 90,431 litres of agrochemicals, 17,945 bags of fertiliser, 195,436 bags of fish feed, and 77,703 bags of poultry feed. The project also helped agribusiness companies offtake 283,582 tonnes of produce, improving market linkages and strengthening value chains.
“OGSTEP has empowered more than 39,000 people,” he said. “This includes 1,400 STEM teachers, 100 quality assurance officers, 120 technical instructors, over 4,000 vocational trainees, 120 ministry personnel, more than 17,000 farmers, youths and women, and 60 artisans.”
He added that eight technical colleges were renovated and upgraded, while laboratories in 22 flagship schools and four Education Resource Centres were fully equipped, bringing the total number of completed institutions to 34.
Okubadejo praised the dedication of the project team, urging Ogun residents to make good use of the investments: “Let us take ownership. In five years, people should be able to see the impact of these projects on the state’s economy.”
The Chairman of the Project Technical Committee, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the achievements were the result of strong partnerships and disciplined execution. He commended Governor Abiodun for his policy guidance and thanked the World Bank team for its technical support.
“This final mission marks a major milestone after years of planning, hard work and collaboration,” he said. “The governor’s political will has been central to the project’s success.”
ICYMI
Project Coordinator, Mosun Owo-Odunsi, noted that the final mission signifies the conclusion of the World Bank–supported five-year project. She said the assessment reviewed completed work, outstanding tasks and next steps to ensure Ogun continues on its development path.
She urged beneficiaries to make full use of the support they received, stressing that significant investments have been made in infrastructure, human capital and essential tools.
