Governor of the Year Best Nationwide: His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun

Prince Dapo Abiodun is an astute businessman and politician born into the into the royal family of Iperu on 29 May 1960. Dapo Abiodun was elected Governor of Ogun State on the ticket of the ruling All Progressive’s Congress in 2019.

Coming into government with his rich background in the private sector, Governor Dapo Abiodun has made the priority of his administration to increase Internally Generated Revenue of the state and to make a Ogun State a business hub.

As a leader who was fully prepared for governance, he initiated in his administration the innovative idea of seeking the inputs of  stakeholders into the budget preparation as a way of ensuring fiscal discipline, public confidence and accountability which promotes inclusive governance and citizen’s engagement.

In terms of infrastructure, the Dapo Abiodun led administration has constructed over 80 major roads and others (Federal roads inclusive) totalling 400km. As a promise keeper Governor, the year 2022 witnessed the commissioning of several road projects within the state. This includes 4.5km Molusi College Road, in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area of the state, constructed Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye, unveiled 4-km Oba Erinwole Road in Sagamu Local Government, 2.35km Arepo-Journalists Estate Road, 2.4km Oke Ola road in Imeko Afon LG, Rehabilitation of Tollgate section of Lagos-Abeokuta, commencement of Ijoko-Alagbole road reconstruction divided into five sections, construction of Ilo-Awela road and Idi Iroko-Joju Road in Sango-Ota and Owode-Ilaro in Yewa. His administration also rebuilt the Abeokuta -Sagamu interchange road, to the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway which has now become an impeccable beauty for travellers entering into the gateway state.

DA as his supporters fondly call him, has also focused the activities of his administration on creating an enabling environment through the implementation of various business-friendly reforms like the establishment of the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency, enactment of the Public Private Partnership Law and the establishment of the Public Private Partnership Office, to provide a robust regulatory framework for private sector engagement. This has resulted in the establishment of more industries like the Flex Films Africa PVT Limited, Coleman Wire and Cable fibre optic company (first fibre optic cable manufacturing factory in West Africa and the fifth in Africa), amongst others. It has also impacted positively on the state’s IGR making the 4th highest revenue state only after Lagos, the FCT and Rivers State.

In pursuit of his vision to make Ogun state an economic hub, he has  also kicked off the the Agro-Cargo Airport and the $800 million Special Agro-Processing Zone through PPP agreement.

It is also on record that during the year 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari decorated DA with the Distinguished Award for Industrial Revolution in recognition of his efforts to enhance rapid industrialisation, enhance the ease of doing business and make Ogun State Nigeria’s top investment destination.

In recognition of his commitment to good governance, Dapo Abiodun won the Good Governance Award in London during the celebration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary and Global Award Gala, and several other awards have been received in recognition of his excellent performance as the Governor of Ogun State.

Taking into cognizance his commendable strides in infrastructural development and in making Ogun state an economic hub, the board and management of Nigerian NewsDirect bestows on Prince Dapo Abiodun the GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR (INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS) award.