Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has revealed that his administration has invested over ₦5 billion in women-focused empowerment and livelihood programmes through its partnership with the World Bank Group over the past six years.

The governor said the investment, driven by initiatives such as the Nigeria for Women Project and the state-owned Oko’Owo Dapo scheme, has significantly expanded financial inclusion, strengthened leadership capacity and created sustainable economic opportunities for women at the grassroots.

According to Abiodun, about 55,000 women across Ogun State have directly benefited from the programmes, contributing to improved household resilience and more inclusive economic growth within local communities.

The governor also provided updates on other World Bank–supported interventions being implemented by the state. He said the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OGCARES) programme has helped households and local food systems recover from the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similarly, he noted that the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) is recording measurable progress in skills development, agricultural productivity and the modernisation of land administration processes.

As part of efforts to strengthen land governance, Abiodun disclosed that his administration has accelerated the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to property owners, while the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) is upgrading about 209 kilometres of rural roads to improve farm-to-market access and boost productivity in agrarian communities.

Providing updates on the power sector, the governor said Ogun State is nearing the commissioning of its Electricity Distribution Company as part of ongoing electricity sector reforms. He added that with the Ogun State Electricity Board now operational, several Independent Power Projects advancing and mini-grid deployment plans underway, the state is intensifying efforts to improve electricity supply, stimulate industrial growth and deepen economic transformation.

Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships with development institutions to drive inclusive growth, empower vulnerable groups and deliver sustainable infrastructure across Ogun State.