Aare (Hon.) Tolu Bankole, member of the APC National Working Committee has extolled the exceptional leadership of the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON.
He described him as the best governor the state has ever produced in contemporary times.
Speaking during a media chat to mark end of year in Abuja on Friday 12th November, 2025, Bankole said Governor Abiodun’s six-year stewardship has transformed Ogun State across every major sector, elevating the state to new heights through visionary policymaking, fiscal discipline, and a calm, inclusive leadership style that has entrenched peace and stability.
Unmatched Economic Growth:
Bankole noted that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue has grown remarkably under Abiodun’s administration. Ogun’s IGR, which stood at about ₦70 billion in 2019 and declined to ₦50.6 billion in 2020, surged to ₦100.7 billion in 2021. By 2023, the state recorded ₦146.0 billion, demonstrating unprecedented fiscal expansion and robust revenue reforms. This performance far surpasses pre-Abiodun years when the state struggled with lower and inconsistent revenue flows.
He added that Ogun has also recorded over 150 percent GDP growth, rising from ₦2.9 trillion in 2021 to ₦7.3 trillion in 2024, reflecting targeted industrial policies and the governor’s commitment to economic diversification.
Industrialization and Private Investment:
Bankole emphasized that the Abiodun administration has deliberately positioned Ogun as the industrial heartbeat of Nigeria. Through investor-friendly policies and infrastructural support, the state has attracted major manufacturing players while expanding opportunities in mining, agro-processing, and technology.
Infrastructure Transformation:
Highlighting infrastructure as one of the governor’s strongest achievements, Bankole said over 600 kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated to ease movement, boost trade, and support industrial expansion. Roads such as Denro–Ishashi–Akute and several township networks have restored mobility to communities once cut off by neglected infrastructure.
The administration has delivered affordable housing through site-and-service schemes and new estates that accommodate civil servants and retirees, offering dignity and stability to residents.
Agriculture and Rural Advancement:
The statement also praised the governor’s investments in agriculture, noting that more than ₦2.2 billion has been injected into the sector, empowering over 15,000 farmers. Mechanisation, improved value chains, and rural access roads have strengthened food systems and improved market access.
Education and Sports Development:
Bankole commended the administration’s notable interventions in education, including school rehabilitation, teacher recruitment, and the creation of improved learning environments. He further highlighted the governor’s revitalization of sports facilities and youth programs aimed at talent discovery and community engagement.
Peace, Governance, and Tolerance:
According to Bankole, beyond physical development, Governor Abiodun’s greatest strength lies in his temperament and leadership character. Calm, friendly, accommodating, and exceptionally tolerant, the governor has maintained peace in Ogun State for six uninterrupted years. Bankole affirmed that this stability has strengthened governance, allowed party structures to function harmoniously, and kept the state firmly on the path of growth.
A Legacy of Excellence:
Bankole stated that Governor Abiodun has set a new governance benchmark in Ogun State through prudent resource management, strategic partnerships, and long-term planning that centres on the welfare of citizens.
He concluded that Prince Dapo Abiodun is, without doubt, the best governor Ogun State has ever had, and his legacy will serve as a reference point for good governance, transformational leadership, and inclusive development.
He called on the political class, citizens and residents of Ogun state to continue their support for the iconic Prince in 2026 and beyond.
In peace and harmony, progress and development are guaranteed. Igbega Ipinle Ogun, ajose gbogbo wa ni o!