Fawaz Adebisi, Aishah Waliyullah, Zainab Abioye, Fareedah Ogundairo, Uthman Ogunfolaji,& Grace Adeleke
Ogun State celebrates its Golden Jubilee on Tuesday, marking precisely 50 years since its creation on February 3, 1976, from the former Western State under General Murtala Muhammed’s administration.
With the state’s administrative structure evolving from seven initial local government areas (LGAs) in 1976 to the current stable 20 LGAs by 1996, following reforms under military regimes (Babangida in 1991 and Abacha in 1996), its leadership framework underpinned steady sectoral growth across civilian administrations.
… Education Sector Under Five Govs
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, 1979–1983, laid the cornerstone with free education at all levels, boosting enrollment and founding Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University).
Following his predecessor, Chief Olusegun Osoba (1999–2003) also prioritized rural access and literacy.
Otunba Gbenga Daniel (2003–2011), as the governor also expanded tertiary education by establishing Tai Solarin University of Education (Africa’s first specialized university of education) and new polytechnics.
OGD’s successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (2011–2019) focused on “Ogun Standard” renovations and infrastructure.
Dapo Abiodun, in the past 6 years, has driven digitalization through OgunLEARN (an AI-powered platform launched in 2026 for interactive teaching and learning), recruited over 4,000 teachers via OgunTEACh, and renovated more than 1,000 classrooms, with substantial budget support (about 17% of the 2026 allocation).
… Health Sector Under Five Govs
The available record showed that just like how he promoted free education, Onabanjo passionately pioneered free healthcare services.
Also, Osoba emphasized rural interventions for agrarian communities while Daniel built general hospitals (Omu Ijebu, Itori, Ijebu East), founded the School of Nursing & Midwifery in Ilaro, and introduced OGRUMED rural outreach.
Amosun, on the other hand, launched the Araya Community-Based Health Insurance and initiated the 250-bed Medical Centre of Excellence in Abeokuta.
For Abiodun, he has renovated over 100–140 Primary Healthcare Centres (with World Bank assistance), completed the inherited 250-bed facility (nearing full operations), and achieved full accreditation for nursing schools—the first in 45 years.
Infrastructure, Broader Development Under Fiv Govs
The State has recorded evident road progress: Osoba targeted rural access; Daniel delivered ~500km via cost-effective direct labour; Amosun completed ~357km of high-standard urban roads plus 15 flyovers and ~1,282km of feeders; Abiodun reports over 1,600km constructed or rehabilitated, including 80+ major roads across zones. Additional highlights include Gateway International Airport certification, dry port advancements, and deep seaport projects.
These efforts have solidified Ogun’s position as Nigeria’s industrial powerhouse, second to Lagos in manufacturing, hosting multinationals like Dangote and Nestlé, a leader in agriculture (e.g., cassava production), and a top performer in IGR and investment attraction, with an estimated ₦17 trillion economy.
… Professionals Assess Ogun’s 50-Year Journey
From classrooms and clinics to farms and council chambers, residents weigh the gains, gaps and governance lessons shaping Ogun’s golden jubilee.
As the State marks 50 years of creation, voices from different sectors paint a picture of cautious progress mixed with lingering gaps.
From infrastructure and education to healthcare, agriculture and governance, stakeholders say the state’s journey reflects both remarkable strides and costly missed opportunities.
Civil engineer, Mr. Adewale Ogunyemi, described Ogun’s development trajectory as inconsistent, with impressive urban growth but neglected rural communities.
According to him, cities such as Abeokuta and Ota have benefited from improved roads and industrial expansion, while many villages remain cut off by poor infrastructure.
He blamed policy discontinuity for stalled projects, noting that successive administrations often abandon existing plans.
Ogunyemi said states across the federation could learn from Ogun’s experience by prioritising transparency, continuity and effective monitoring.
While acknowledging achievements in industrial growth, tertiary education and urban infrastructure, he said the golden jubilee celebrations feel “more symbolic than practical” for ordinary citizens.
“For me, Ogun at 50 is a story of progress mixed with missed opportunities,” he said.
Mrs. Funke Adebayo, a secondary school teacher, said the state’s development has been slowest in education and healthcare, which she described as chronically underfunded.
Although she commended the establishment of higher institutions, she lamented the dilapidated condition of many public primary and secondary schools.
She added that government policies often fail at the implementation stage, leaving teachers and civil servants with poor welfare packages.
Adebayo urged increased funding for schools, improved teacher welfare and stronger healthcare systems, stressing that development must prioritise people over politics.
“Ogun at 50 shows endurance, but survival alone is not enough,” she said.
Offering a more optimistic outlook, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Mr. Sowunmi Ebenezer Olanrewaju, said the sector has witnessed steady growth, particularly through the Ogun State Government Special Transformation and Enhancement of Agriculture Project (OGSTEP).
He said the programme has supported farmers with machinery, land access and fish farming, generating about ₦917bn in revenue for fish farmers across the state, while attracting investment and creating jobs.
However, he identified youth disinterest in agriculture as a major challenge.
Looking ahead, Olanrewaju said the state aims to become West Africa’s leading poultry producer, with plans for facilities capable of producing 1.3 million birds annually and processing 5,000 birds daily at the Ajegunle Farm Settlement in Odeda.
Healthcare Still a Weak Link
Community health worker, Mrs. Yetunde Kolawole, said healthcare development has been largely disappointing, especially in rural areas where many primary health centres lack basic equipment, drugs and manpower.
Although some hospitals have been renovated, she said access to quality healthcare remains limited for many residents.
She blamed inconsistent policies and inadequate funding, calling for urgent investment in health infrastructure, staff welfare and emergency services. Kolawole stressed that Ogun’s 50th anniversary should prioritise human development over physical projects.
“Healthcare must be treated as essential, not a luxury,” she said.
In contrast, the Majority Leader of Abeokuta South Local Government, Hon. Sodiya Oluseyi Oladayo, described Ogun’s development over the past five decades as impressive, citing growth in internally generated revenue and major investments in roads, schools, healthcare facilities and the airport.
He praised the cordial working relationship between the legislature and executive, which he said has delivered tangible benefits to residents.
Oladayo, however, acknowledged setbacks during military rule, when constitutional governance and human rights were undermined.
Looking forward, he said improving electricity supply remains critical, urging the state to leverage its proximity to Lagos, adopt innovative policies and sustain economic growth over the next two decades.
Together, these perspectives suggest that Ogun at 50 stands at a crossroads — a state with solid foundations in industry, education and agriculture, but still grappling with uneven development, weak social services and policy inconsistency.
As celebrations unfold, many residents say the true measure of success will lie not in ceremonies, but in whether the next phase of governance delivers inclusive growth, continuity and better living standards for all.
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