…says State Electricity Distribution Company to boost power supply soon

The Ogun State Government, in partnership with the World Bank Group, has invested more than ₦5 billion in women-focused empowerment and livelihood programmes over the last six years, Governor Dapo Abiodun has said.

The governor disclosed this on Wednesday while receiving a World Bank delegation led by its Vice President, Ms. Galina Vincelette, at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta.

Abiodun said the investment was executed through the World Bank–supported Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) and the state’s domesticated empowerment initiative, Oko’Owo Dapo, which was introduced to sustain the gains of the original programme.

According to him, the Nigeria for Women Project, implemented through Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), has had a transformative impact on the socio-economic lives of women across the state.

“The programme has deepened financial inclusion, strengthened social cohesion, and equipped women with leadership and basic accounting skills,” he said.

He explained that about ₦3 billion was disbursed through the World Bank-supported initiative, while the Ogun State Government provided an additional ₦2 billion, bringing total investment to approximately ₦5 billion.

The governor added that Oko’Owo Dapo was launched to expand the reach of the programme, noting that no fewer than 55,000 women have so far been empowered across the state.

Abiodun also highlighted the achievements of the Ogun State COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme (OGCARES), describing it as a vital intervention that boosted household resilience and supported food system recovery during and after the pandemic.

Speaking on the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), the governor said the programme has recorded notable progress in skills development, agricultural productivity and land administration reforms.

“We have significantly improved the speed of issuing Certificates of Occupancy,” he said.

He also disclosed that under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), the state is currently rehabilitating about 209 kilometres of rural roads to improve farm-to-market connectivity.

“Better rural access reduces transportation costs and enhances agricultural productivity,” Abiodun noted.

On power supply, the governor revealed that Ogun State would soon commission its Electricity Distribution Company as part of deliberate efforts to improve electricity supply and stimulate industrial growth.

He said the state is pursuing multiple Independent Power Projects (IPPs) and has established the Ogun State Electricity Board, following recent constitutional amendments that empower states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.

“Power remains the biggest enabler of economic activities. We are working with strategic partners to generate and distribute electricity within the state,” he said.

“We are also set to construct mini-grids across Ogun State to meet our growing energy needs.”

Earlier, the World Bank Group Vice President, Ms. Galina Vincelette, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting Ogun State and Nigeria in addressing critical development challenges.

She said the Bank would continue to promote public-private solutions, particularly in the electricity sector, while strengthening investments in human capital development.

Also speaking, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Matthew Verghis, disclosed that the Bank is preparing a new Country Partnership Framework for Nigeria with a strong focus on job creation.

“Creating jobs is the most sustainable way to reduce poverty and raise incomes. Our existing programmes, including the Nigeria for Women Project, will continue,” Verghis said.

He added that Nigeria currently has a $17 billion World Bank portfolio, one of the largest in the world, assuring that the Bank’s support for the country remains strong.