The silent achiever transforming Ogun into Nigeria’s industrial epicenter
In a political landscape often cluttered with noise and distraction, Prince Dapo Abiodun has distinguished himself as a leader of quiet, devastating efficiency. As the Governor of Ogun State, he has masterfully sidestepped the political gimmicks and distractions of the opposition to focus on a singular mission, evolving Ogun State from a mere neighbor of Lagos into a standalone economic giant.
His administration’s focus has paid off. In 2025, Ogun State stands firmly as one of the top two destinations for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Nigeria, second only to Lagos, a status that was once aspirational but is now an economic reality.
The crown jewel of his infrastructure drive is the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport. Far from a vanity project, this facility is a strategic masterstroke located at the intersection of Nigeria’s busiest economic corridors. Boasting the longest runway in Nigeria (4km), it is designed to handle the world’s largest cargo aircraft, positioning Ogun State as the logistics hub for West Africa. It serves as a critical export terminal for agricultural produce and a logistics centre for the state’s industrial clusters, effectively linking Ogun’s manufacturers directly to the global market without the bottlenecks of traditional exit points.
Governor Abiodun has further bulletproofed the state’s economy by pioneering the development of Inland Dry Ports, effectively bringing the seaport to the hinterland and solving the perennial challenge of logistics congestion.
Under his “Building Our Future Together” agenda, anchored on the ISEYA pillars (Infrastructure, Social Wellbeing, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture), Ogun State is wearing a new look. His aggressive urban regeneration has transformed the state capital and major towns, attracting high-profile events like the National Sports Festival, which the state hosted with unprecedented fanfare and capacity.
Born on May 29, 1960, in Iperu-Remo, Prince Abiodun brings a disciplined, private-sector mindset to governance. With a background in Cost Accounting (Kennesaw State University, USA) and a stellar career in the oil and gas sector (Crestar Hydrocarbons, Heyden Petroleum), he understands that capital goes where it is respected. This is why he has prioritised security, strengthening the Amotekun corps and equipping security agencies to ensure that the state remains a sanctuary for investors.
Prince Dapo Abiodun, a Commander of the Order of Niger (CON), is nominated as Governor of the Year because he has delivered substance over slogans. By linking the Agro-Cargo Airport with a network of Inland Dry Ports and industrial clusters, he has built a self-sustaining economic ecosystem. He has proven that despite the antics of the opposition, his work speaks louder, clearer, and more profitably for the people of Ogun State.
