Activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ogun State’s creation continued on Monday, the 2nd of February, 2026, with an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The event attracted a distinguished gathering, including former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, past military administrators, traditional rulers, and other prominent sons and daughters of the state.
Addressing attendees, Governor Dapo Abiodun highlighted Ogun State’s remarkable progress over the past five decades, particularly in sectors such as education, housing, healthcare, agriculture, and other critical areas of the economy.
According to the governor, Ogun now ranks among Nigeria’s fastest-growing economies, with an estimated value of ₦17 trillion.
“Recent reports rank Ogun as the second-largest economy in Nigeria, after Lagos. Our state has attained an unprecedented level of prominence and excellence,” he stated.
Governor Abiodun noted that Ogun has become a gateway to Nigeria’s prosperity, driven by its multimodal transportation infrastructure, world-class airport, and extensive road network. He emphasized that the state leads in education across all levels, has delivered record numbers of affordable housing units, strengthened its healthcare system, and supported productive farmers, reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s industrial capital.
The governor also paid tribute to notable sons and daughters of Ogun, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Chief MKO Abiola, whose legacies laid a strong foundation for the state’s development.
In his remarks, former President Obasanjo lauded past leaders for their vision and dedication, noting Ogun’s significant contributions to national development through its people. He urged the current administration to further leverage the state’s proximity to Lagos by improving infrastructure and attracting additional investments.
Former Governor Osoba reflected on Ogun’s historic achievements, including producing the first Chief Judge of the Federation, and highlighted the contributions of key figures to the state’s creation. He said the current government is effectively building on the foundation laid by its predecessors.
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Speaking on behalf of former military administrators, Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin (rtd.) described Ogun as fortunate to have an educated, enlightened population and leaders committed to the welfare of the people. He commended Governor Abiodun for prioritizing all sectors of the economy.
Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas and Olu of Ilaro, urged the governor to remain focused on delivering the dividends of democracy, noting that development projects had positively impacted areas including Yewaland.
Pa Olu Okuboyejo, Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council and a pioneer civil servant, reflected on the challenges at the time of Ogun’s creation in 1976 and expressed gratitude to God for the progress achieved over the past fifty years.
Delivering a sermon titled “Ogun State, Be Grateful to God for Your Inheritance,” Bishop Michael Fape praised the state’s visionary leadership since inception, which has positioned Ogun among the country’s foremost states. He also commended the Abiodun administration’s ISEYA development agenda for broadening the state’s economic base and called for constructive engagement in public discourse.