By Rosheedat Akinkunle, JKNewsMedia Reporter
GOVERNOR DAPO Abiodun has received the Distinguished Visionary Leadership Award from the Foreign Investment Network (FIN), marking a fresh endorsement of Ogun State’s drive to become Nigeria’s industrial powerhouse.
The award was presented at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, where he detailed sweeping reforms, his administration has undertaken to reposition the state as a prime investment destination.
Reeling off achievements since assuming office, Abiodun said Ogun was one of six states chosen for the Special Agro-Processing Zones project, delivered in partnership with the Federal Government, the African Development Bank, the African Export-Import Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank.
He pointed to the establishment of a Business Environment Council and the State Investment and Facilitation Agency as evidence of a robust investment structure. Both institutions, he said, serve as a one-stop-shop to assist local and foreign investors.
“Our tax system has been digitised to eliminate multiple taxation, and this has made Ogun more attractive for businesses,” the governor stated, noting how infrastructural strides have further reinforced investor confidence.
According to Abiodun, the state has built more than 1,200 kilometres of roads in six years, directly supporting industrial access and logistics.
He added that plans were underway to deliver the cheapest electricity tariffs in Nigeria to industries and residents alike.
With its proximity to Lagos, vast natural resources, and a growing population, Ogun, the governor emphasised, is well-positioned to tap into the country’s economic potential.
He called on both domestic and international investors to explore available opportunities in agriculture, power, manufacturing, and beyond.
He also urged the Foreign Investment Network to deepen its collaboration with Ogun, especially in promoting the state at its upcoming Economic Summit.
Presenting the award, FIN Chairperson Dr. Olayinka Fayomi commended the governor’s economic blueprint and infrastructural turnaround, crediting the state’s transformation in healthcare, education, agriculture, and business as a catalyst for its rise on the investment map.
She noted that FIN, which has supported investments across Africa for over four decades, would continue to showcase Ogun’s prospects through its multilingual business publications and international outreach.
Governor Abiodun, while accepting the award, expressed gratitude for the honour, describing it as a testament to the administration’s commitment to sustainable development. He encouraged FIN to remain an ally in Ogun’s ongoing economic journey.