Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed an interest in partnering with the American government to bolster vital sectors of the state’s economy. This intention was communicated during a meeting with the U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, Will Stevens, and his five-member delegation at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Governor Abiodun highlighted the mutual respect Ogun has for the U.S., seeing it as a beacon in various sectors, including economics, governance, and global security. He proudly referred to Ogun as the “New Jersey of Nigeria” due to its industrial significance in the West African region and expressed a desire to draw from American expertise for further growth.
Outlining his administration’s achievements since 2019, Abiodun mentioned the ISEYA initiative. This program focuses on Infrastructure Development, Social Welfare, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture. “Through ISEYA, we’ve strategically advanced Ogun’s modern infrastructure and shifted our economic reliance from federal allocations to becoming Nigeria’s third-highest state in terms of Internally Generated Revenue,” he emphasized.
He also touched on Ogun State’s advantageous position next to Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial epicenter, solidifying its major industrial hub status.
Furthermore, Governor Abiodun revealed the construction of an Agro Cargo International Airport in Ikenne Council, underscoring Ogun’s ambition to be Nigeria’s top choice for investors.
According to a report by The Guardian, post-meeting, Consul General Stevens briefed the media, emphasizing their discussions on health and security. He acknowledged the U.S. government’s dedication to assisting Nigeria in achieving its HIV/AIDS eradication goals. He stated, “Our mission promotes U.S. trade and investments in parts of Nigeria. We had an enriching dialogue with the governor about ongoing U.S. company investments in Ogun State and potential future opportunities.”
