Ogun State and the Growing Public Outcry for Better Governance
Ogun State, once celebrated as a land of peace, progress, and distinguished citizens, is now experiencing increasing public protests an indication that the government can no longer overlook the people’s concerns.
Known as the Gateway State, Ogun shares borders with Lagos and the Bight of Benin to the south, Oyo and Osun to the north, Ondo to the east, and the Republic of Benin to the west. Created on February 3, 1976, and named after the Ogun River, the state has long been regarded as a cradle of great minds. Its history boasts icons like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Akintola Sapara, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Chief Rotimi Williams, Dr. Tai Solarin, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and many others while living legends such as Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ebenezer Obey, Tunde Kelani, and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina continue to elevate its profile. Notably, Ogun has produced three Nigerian presidents: Olusegun Obasanjo, Ernest Shonekan, and Moshood Abiola while Awolowo is widely regarded as the “best president Nigeria never had.”
Over the years, Ogun has been a relatively peaceful state, known for its supportive citizens who often grant governors a second term with minimal resistance. This goodwill, however, appears to have been taken for granted. Despite significant economic growth with the state’s economy reportedly expanding from about N3.5tn in 2019 to N16tn in 2025 residents say the development has not translated into visible improvements in their daily lives.
Many believe Ogun’s thriving industrial expansion, robust agricultural potential, and increased federal and internal revenue should reflect in infrastructure and public services. But across the state, roads are deteriorating, access to potable water remains poor, and many public schools are environmentally unfit for learning. The recent abduction of students further exposed the dilapidated state of some school facilities.
Residents in several communities Sango, Ibafo, Papalanto, and others have staged protests over worsening roads that hinder access to schools, hospitals, markets, and neighbouring states. From the Sango entry point into Ogun, motorists immediately confront deplorable roads. While the Ijebu-Ode–Epe road is in better shape, commuters are still required to pay toll fees. Internal roads across the state have become so poor that they increase transportation costs and force motorists into constant vehicle repairs.
The situation is the same along the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan road, which has been heavily damaged by the surge of petrol and diesel tankers heading to the Dangote Refinery. While the Oyo section is receiving some attention, the Ogun section continues to deteriorate.
Some communities, particularly in Yewa South, have benefitted from the intervention of Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who has sponsored extensive road repairs. However, residents are questioning the performance of senators in the other two districts, insisting that constituency funds should also be used to address infrastructure concerns where the state government falls short.
As Ogun approaches 2027, citizens hope the current administration will prioritise essential projects and leave behind a legacy of progress not debt. For now, the growing protests clearly reflect a population that has endured long enough and now demands the dividends of democracy they have repeatedly been promised.
