Ogun Governor Announces State Police Readiness and New Cash Transfer Program

During a recent town hall meeting in Sagamu, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun outlined key policy shifts for the state, focusing on security reform and direct economic relief for citizens. The meeting, which centered on the 2027 budget and the 2027–2029 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, served as a platform for the governor to address both regional security concerns and the rising cost of living.

Advocating for State Police

Governor Abiodun, who serves as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, explicitly stated that Ogun State is prepared to implement a state-level police force. According to the governor, this transition is essential to protect the state’s expanding commercial and industrial sectors. He emphasized that his administration has already bolstered the state’s security infrastructure by providing equipment, vehicles, and allowances to existing security outfits, including the Ogun State Security Network (Amotekun) and the So-Safe Corps, which currently employ approximately 6,000 personnel.

Economic Relief Measures

In response to inflationary pressures, particularly regarding food and transportation costs, the governor announced the immediate rollout of a social investment cash transfer program. Abiodun attributed some of the current economic strain to global supply chain disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran, and the United States. The program, which began in Sagamu, is intended to provide direct financial support to vulnerable households already identified in the state’s database. The governor indicated plans to expand this initiative across the entire state.

Fiscal Overview and Infrastructure Plans

The state’s Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, provided a breakdown of recent fiscal performance. He noted that the 2024 budget saw an expenditure of N490 billion out of a N703 billion estimate, while the 2025 budget reached an expenditure of N700 billion against a N1.05 trillion estimate. Looking ahead, the government aims to improve community infrastructure by installing solar-powered streetlights, providing transformers, and sinking boreholes across all 236 wards in the state.

Stakeholder Feedback

The town hall meeting also featured input from local leaders and professional bodies. The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, praised the government’s development efforts but urged the establishment of a monitoring team to ensure the maintenance of public facilities. Additionally, local government chairmen requested road rehabilitation and addressed concerns regarding border community management. Representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) suggested closer collaboration with the state to improve revenue generation and support poverty reduction initiatives.

Conclusion

The announcements reflect the Ogun State government’s dual focus on long-term security restructuring and immediate social intervention. While the administration has set clear objectives for the 2027 budget cycle, the success of these programs—particularly the state police initiative and the expansion of cash transfers—remains subject to future implementation and the ongoing dialogue between the state government and its residents.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: Dapo Abiodun · Economy · news · Nigeria · Ogun State · State Police · ViralBrief