Senator Solomon Adeola, the Ogun State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, has outlined his plans to create over 500,000 jobs and ensure local government autonomy if elected in the 2027 general election. During a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Adeola stated that his administration would focus on infrastructure, industrialisation, agriculture, healthcare, education, security, and institutional reforms. He described his proposed program as a "covenant" with the people of the state.
Adeola's development plan includes introducing the Ogun State Bus Mass Transit Programme on major corridors, such as Abeokuta, Sango-Ota, and Sagamu. He also plans to work with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to introduce commuter rail services linking Abeokuta and Lagos and connecting the state's industrial corridors to the Lagos rail network. Additionally, he proposed "OgunRide", a state-backed mobility platform for commercial cars, tricycles, and motorcycles, which would provide drivers with health insurance, vehicle financing, and cooperative support.
To address unemployment, Adeola promised to train 100,000 young people in digital skills by 2031 and launch a Youth Enterprise Hub in Abeokuta within the first six months of his administration. The hub would have satellite locations across the state and provide microcredit for young entrepreneurs. Adeola aims to cut youth unemployment by 40 percent and create over 500,000 jobs. He emphasized that his administration would prioritize job creation and youth empowerment.
Adeola also pledged to implement financial autonomy for the state's 20 local government areas, in line with the 2024 Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy. He stated that allocations would flow directly to the councils without state-level interception or diversion. Adeola emphasized that government should be felt at the local government level and that this would be a priority on day one of his administration.
The APC candidate proposed various initiatives to promote industrialisation, agriculture, and sports development. He promised to establish a Solid Minerals Development Company to facilitate licences and joint ventures in the mining sector and transform agriculture through mechanisation, farmer financing, climate-smart farming, and agro-industrial parks. Adeola also promised multipurpose sports complexes in each senatorial district through public-private partnerships and an Ogun Youth Sports Academy.
Adeola's plan also includes revitalising the state health insurance scheme, "Ilera D'ero", with a target of enrolling two million residents. He pledged investments in hospitals and primary healthcare facilities, alongside improved welfare and support for doctors, nurses, and community health workers. In education, he promised expanded technical and vocational training, recruitment and training of qualified teachers, and the rehabilitation of classrooms and other learning infrastructure.
Adeola concluded by emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability. He stated that his administration would work towards ending open defecation across the state by 2031, while rehabilitating slums, improving water and sanitation, and enforcing physical planning regulations. The APC candidate's plans aim to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for residents in Ogun State.
Key points
- Adeola promises to create over 500,000 jobs and ensure local government autonomy if elected in 2027.
