Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has declared the state’s readiness to establish a State Police Force, saying the initiative would strengthen security, protect investments and support the state’s expanding economic activities.
Abiodun, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, made the declaration on Thursday at a town hall meeting on the 2027 budget and 2027–2029 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for Remo Division at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu.
“I am the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum on State Police creation. Ogun State is ready for state police,” the governor said.
He said the state’s growing industrial and commercial base required a stronger security architecture capable of protecting businesses, communities and investments.
Abiodun said his administration had already invested in strengthening security through the provision of operational vehicles, allowances and equipment, as well as increased recruitment into the Ogun State Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
According to him, Amotekun and the So-Safe Corps currently have a combined strength of about 6,000 personnel.
“To protect the gains we have made, we have continued to strengthen our security architecture by providing them with vehicles, allowances and equipment. We have empowered our Amotekun and increased their recruitment,” he said.
Ogun begins cash transfer programme
The governor also announced the immediate commencement of a social investment cash transfer programme targeting vulnerable residents affected by rising food and transportation costs.
He said beneficiaries already identified and captured in the state’s database would begin receiving payment alerts in Sagamu, with the programme to be extended subsequently across Remoland and other parts of Ogun.
“I am starting that today in Sagamu. I’m going into Ogijo from here. All those who have been identified to benefit will receive their alerts today while I’m there. I’m going to do the same across Remoland and, of course, the whole state,” Abiodun said.
He attributed some of the current economic pressures to disruptions in the global oil and gas supply chain linked to the ongoing Israel-American-Iran conflict, saying the resulting increase in oil prices had contributed to higher transportation costs.
The explanation was presented by the governor as part of the rationale for the intervention.
Abiodun also announced plans to construct boreholes in all 236 wards across Ogun, alongside the provision of transformers and solar-powered streetlights to improve access to basic amenities and enhance community security.
He said Remoland remained central to his administration’s development agenda, stressing that residents of the division were participants in Ogun’s economic transformation.
“Remoland is not on the sidelines of these developments. You are right in the middle of it. You are a participant and a contributor to this economic improvement,” he said.
Ogun reviews budget performance
Earlier, Ogun Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dapo Okubadejo, said effective governance required open dialogue, citizen participation and accountability between government and residents.
He said the impact of government policies should ultimately be measured by tangible improvements in citizens’ lives, particularly through infrastructure and social interventions.
Okubadejo disclosed that Ogun spent N490 billion out of its N703 billion 2024 budget, representing about 70 per cent implementation.
According to the commissioner, expenditure under the N1.05 trillion 2025 budget stood at about N700 billion, representing 65 per cent performance.
He said the N1.67 trillion 2026 budget continued to support interventions in infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, agriculture and other priority sectors.
The 2027 budget process comes against the backdrop of the Ogun State House of Assembly’s approval of the 2027–2029 MTEF, which provides for budget proposals of N2.086 trillion for 2027, N2.294 trillion for 2028 and N2.524 trillion for 2029.
Okubadejo said the town hall meeting would allow residents and stakeholders to contribute to the policies, programmes and projects to be included in the 2027 budget.
Stakeholders demand more infrastructure
Speaking on behalf of the chairmen of Sagamu, Remo North and Ikenne local governments, Sagamu council chairman Afolabi Odulate appealed to the state government to address what he described as Lagos’ encroachment into Ogun through border communities.
He also called for the rehabilitation of roads across the three local government areas to improve movement and stimulate commercial activities.
Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, commended the state government’s development projects but urged the establishment of a monitoring team to ensure public facilities were properly utilised and maintained.
The monarch also called for federal tertiary institutions in Remoland and urged the government to ensure that indigenes of the division benefited adequately from the state’s economic development initiatives.
Chairman of the Remo Division of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chief Adewale Kalejaye, advocated stronger collaboration between ICAN and the state government to expand the tax base and improve revenue generation.
He also called for increased funding for Sustainable Development Goals programmes focused on reducing poverty and hunger and improving children’s access to education.
