The Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) on Monday, December 1, 2025, commenced its 8th and final Implementation Support Mission (ISM), marking a milestone in the state’s reform and development agenda. The opening ceremony, held at Park Inn by Radisson, Abeokuta, convened government officials, the World Bank Task Team, sector experts and implementing agencies to assess achievements and map sustainability strategies.
Declaring the session open, Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, described the event as “a defining moment in our development trajectory.” He noted that OGSTEP, guided by the vision of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, has strengthened institutions, expanded economic opportunities, and built a resilient platform for sustainable growth. He highlighted gains across the Business Enabling Environment, Agriculture, and Skills Development components, praising the Governor for providing “the political will and enabling environment that allowed these reforms to take root.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the Project Technical Committee and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, emphasized that the final mission represents “the culmination of years of collaboration, refinement and progress.” He commended the World Bank for its partnership and the implementing teams for enhancing accountability, strategy, and delivery across all project units.
Project Coordinator Mrs. Mosunmola Owo-Odusi presented a detailed overview of OGSTEP’s impact, noting that farmers who were previously subsistence operators have now evolved into organised cooperative associations with CAC registrations, business plans, and improved market access. “We have witnessed a real shift from peasant farmers to structured, medium-scale agripreneurs able to compete and thrive,” she said. She added that private-sector linkages and post-harvest processing centres have strengthened value chains across the state.
Mrs. Owo-odusi highlighted mechanisation, which increased cultivated land, reduced labour intensity, and enabled farmers to scale operations. Saying that improvements in land administration, including modern survey equipment, GIS structures, and a state-wide CORS network have unlocked land value and enhanced accuracy in surveying, urban planning and development control. “These advances have reshaped Ogun State’s geospatial landscape in ways that will serve generations,” she said.
In skills development, the Project Coordinator noted that technical education and TVET systems have been strengthened through teacher training, rehabilitated institutions, and modernised learning facilities. Ogun State’s results-based training model, she added, “…has now been adopted at the federal level,” validating the state’s leadership in human capital development.
She urged ministries, agencies, and regulators to safeguard the gains, stressing that sustainability depends on maintaining and expanding the systems established.
Mrs. Owo-Odusi also expressed appreciation to Governor Abiodun for his leadership, the Steering and Technical Committees for guidance, MDAs for collaboration, and the World Bank Task Team for its technical support. She commended beneficiary communities (farmers, youth, and women) whose participation made these transformations possible and praised the Project Implementation Unit for its dedication.
In attendance were members of the Project Steering Committee and the Project Technical Committee, including the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Moriamo Oloko, her counterpart at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as well directors from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, highlighting broad institutional support for OGSTEP.
With the mission underway, participants are expected to engage in sector reviews, field assessments, and sustainability planning sessions as OGSTEP prepares for its formal closeout.
