Governor Dapo Abiodun

The Ogun State Government has attributed the poor state of several roads across the state to what it described as a massive infrastructure deficit inherited from the previous administration, while assuring residents of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to even development across all parts of the state.

In a detailed statement issued on Tuesday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the Abiodun-led administration met widespread infrastructural decay on assumption of office in 2019 but had since made deliberate efforts to rehabilitate and reconstruct key roads to ease transportation and boost economic activities.

According to Akinmade, the government is currently undertaking major road projects across the Ifo, Sango-Ota, and Idiroko axis, areas that have long been identified as some of the most affected by infrastructural neglect.

“The road in question, like many others in the Sango-Ota axis, had been in that deplorable state for many years before the coming of Governor Abiodun. They are part of the huge infrastructure deficit inherited by this administration in 2019,” he said.

Akinmade noted that despite limited resources and the economic strain facing all tiers of government, the state has embarked on the rehabilitation of several strategic routes, including federal roads that serve as vital links between Ogun and neighbouring states.

He cited the 140-kilometre Abeokuta–Lagos Expressway as an example, noting that although it is a federal road, the Ogun State Government took up the responsibility for its rehabilitation in order to ease the suffering of commuters and support businesses operating along the corridor.

“The Sango–Idiroko road, which is also a Federal Government road, is under construction by the state government,” he added.

Dismissing claims that certain parts of the state had been deliberately neglected, Akinmade explained that the administration operates on a structured development plan guided by available resources and the state’s medium-term fiscal framework.

He particularly addressed concerns over the Ota–Itele–Lafenwa stretch of road, which residents and commuters have repeatedly complained about, clarifying that the project had already been factored into the forthcoming 2026 budget.

“The area being mostly complained about – the Ota–Itele–Lafenwa stretch, which is about 24 kilometres – had been incorporated into the 2026 budget long before the social media hoopla,” he said.

The statement also highlighted a list of completed projects within the Ifo–Ado-Odo–Ota axis, which include the Ikorita Meta, Adenrele/Olose Titus Vespa Road; Olusegun Osoba Road; Toyin–Agbado Road; and the Sango–Ota–Oke Aro–Ojodu Abiodun Road, among others.

“These projects reflect the governor’s resolve to ensure even development across the state, as fast as time and resources permit,” Akinmade said.

He reaffirmed that Governor Abiodun’s development blueprint places emphasis on infrastructural renewal as a foundation for sustainable growth, improved mobility, and better living conditions for residents.

However, the government warned against what it termed “politically motivated misinformation” aimed at undermining its efforts and discrediting ongoing projects.

“While recognising the rights of the good people of Ogun State to continue to demand the dividends of democracy, the government warned the public to be wary of the antics of opposition politicians and their quest to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it,” Akinmade cautioned.

Since assuming office, the Abiodun administration has initiated several large-scale road projects across the three senatorial districts, including the Sagamu Interchange–Siun–Abeokuta Expressway, Ilaro–Owode–Imeko Road, Ijebu–Ode–Epe Expressway, and multiple township link roads.

“The decision was a confirmation of Governor Abiodun’s determination to spread even development to all nooks and crannies of the state as fast as he is allowed to do by time and resources,” Akinmade said.

Observers note that the governor’s infrastructure push has been central to his “Building Our Future Together” agenda, which prioritises road expansion, industrial corridor development, and urban renewal as key drivers of socio-economic transformation.

While the state government insists that progress is being made, residents continue to call for accelerated work on several key roads, particularly in the industrial hubs of Ota and Agbara, where poor infrastructure has long been a source of frustration for commuters and investors alike.

For now, the Abiodun administration maintains that it remains focused on its commitment to equitable development across Ogun’s urban and rural communities, a vision, Akinmade said, that will continue to guide the state’s infrastructural agenda into the coming year.