…Unveils 30-year master plan for ‘New Ogun’, pledges infrastructure, jobs, investment
*Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola with representatives of the Ogun-Lagos Border Towns Development Association (OGLABOT).
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has promised to transform the Ogun-Lagos border towns into vibrant economic and residential centres as part of his vision for a “New Ogun” if elected governor in 2027.
Adeola made the commitment during an engagement with representatives of the Ogun-Lagos Border Towns Development Association (OGLABOT), where he unveiled plans for a 30-year development master plan designed to provide a long-term framework for infrastructure, urban development and economic expansion across the state.
The APC candidate said the rapidly expanding communities along the Ogun-Lagos corridor could no longer be treated as mere extensions of Lagos, stressing that deliberate planning and sustained investment were required to unlock their enormous economic potential.
According to him, Ogun’s strategic location and proximity to Lagos offer the state a major competitive advantage which, if properly harnessed, could attract investments, create jobs, expand housing opportunities and strengthen the state’s internally generated revenue.
Adeola said work had already commenced on the proposed 30-year master plan, which is expected to take about 18 months to complete.
He explained that the plan would provide a coordinated framework for the development of residential and commercial clusters, transportation networks, roads, bridges, public facilities and other infrastructure needed to support the state’s growing population.
“We cannot continue to govern without a functional master plan. Development must be properly coordinated, and adequate infrastructure must be provided if our people are to experience the true presence of government,” he said.
Adeola particularly identified the Ogun-Lagos border communities as critical to the state’s economic future, noting that their rapid population growth and increasing commercial activities demanded urgent government attention.
He promised that his administration would prioritise roads, bridges, housing, markets, schools, healthcare facilities and transportation infrastructure in communities along the border corridor.
The APC candidate said his objective was to ensure that residents of border towns could enjoy the benefits of Ogun’s economic growth without having to depend almost entirely on Lagos for employment, commerce, transportation and essential services.
He said Ogun must develop its own economic identity and infrastructure rather than becoming merely a residential extension of Lagos.
Adeola also highlighted the untapped economic potential of Tongeji Island, saying the area could become an important economic asset to Ogun State if properly connected and opened up for development.
He pledged to explore opportunities in the state’s mineral resources sector, tackle capital flight and ensure that companies operating in Ogun contribute meaningfully to the economic development of their host communities.
The APC candidate said his administration would pursue policies that would convert Ogun’s strategic location, industrial base, natural resources and expanding population into sustainable economic opportunities for residents.
Adeola’s engagement with OGLABOT forms part of his wider grassroots consultations ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with the candidate seeking to incorporate community-specific needs into his manifesto and economic blueprint.
He said the recommendations contained in OGLABOT’s development document would be carefully studied and incorporated into his policy framework where appropriate.
Earlier, Dr. Boye, who represented OGLABOT, said the association was established to provide a platform for residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the Ogun-Lagos border communities to articulate their concerns and participate in development planning.
He said extensive consultations had been conducted across the affected communities, resulting in a development document outlining their major challenges and priorities.
These, he said, included inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, boundary-related challenges and the need to unlock the economic potential of strategically located communities, including Tongeji Island.
Also speaking, Hon. Deji Olatunya said OGLABOT’s grassroots engagements had enabled the association to identify practical solutions to the challenges confronting the communities.
He said implementation of the projects contained in the association’s development document would improve living standards, stimulate economic activities, encourage tax compliance and strengthen citizens’ confidence in government.
Olatunya stressed the strategic importance of the densely populated border communities, adding that OGLABOT had built a network capable of facilitating broader consultations and town-hall engagements with residents.
Responding, Adeola commended OGLABOT for undertaking what he described as detailed, community-driven research.
He directed the association to nominate a three-member committee to interface directly with his policy team.
The committee, he said, would work with the policy team to compare OGLABOT’s proposals with his manifesto and economic blueprint, identify gaps and develop additional recommendations for the development of Ogun-Lagos border communities.
The APC candidate said the exercise underscored his commitment to running an administration driven by long-term planning and consultation rather than ad-hoc interventions.
Adeola’s 30-year master plan is expected to be a major plank of his campaign for the 2027 governorship election, as he positions himself as a candidate committed to infrastructure-led growth, urban renewal, economic expansion and long-term development planning.
He reaffirmed his determination to build a “New Ogun” where communities, particularly those along the strategic Lagos-Ogun economic corridor, are deliberately planned, properly connected and positioned to benefit from the state’s growing economic opportunities.
Adeola said his ultimate goal was to build an Ogun State capable of sustaining rapid economic growth while providing residents with improved infrastructure, expanded economic opportunities and a better quality of life for generations to come.