News in brief:
– Ogun State has allocated ₦65.38 billion to agriculture and industry in its 2025 budget, focusing on food security, industrialisation, and SME support.
– Infrastructure projects and 2024 initiatives, including fish harvests and rice production, further strengthen agricultural productivity and economic growth.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced that the agriculture and industry sector will receive ₦65.38 billion from the ₦1 trillion budget his administration is proposing for 2025.
This figure represents 6% of the total budget, a significant allocation when compared to colleagues like the Abia State government and the federal government.
Agriculture ranks joint fourth in the state’s budgetary allocation along with Housing & Community Development. Infrastructure, education, and health are the sectors receiving the highest portion of the budget as the breakdown below shows:
The 2025 budget aligns with the State Economic Development Plan and Strategy (2021–2025), targeting food security, industrialisation, and support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Infrastructure and innovative initiatives to boost agricultural growth
The infrastructure sector, which received the highest sectoral allocation of ₦284.4 billion (representing 27% of the total budget), could indirectly contribute to improving the agricultural economy.
Some of the legacy projects that the administration has embarked on that support agricultural exports and trade include the Remo Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone, Kajola Free Export Processing Zone, and Agro Cargo International Airport.
In addition, the development of transport infrastructure that emphasises enhanced transport systems and connectivity for economic activities will boost productivity and enhance efficiency.
Also, the construction and renovation of road infrastructure will improve accessibility for rural and urban areas.
In a broader economic view, the budget highlights infrastructure as a priority to stimulate economic growth and support long-term development in agriculture and other key sectors.
2024 agricultural investments
The governor claimed that the State achieved 79% of its pro-rated revenue target and 56% of its pro-rated expenditure target.
In November 2024, the State launched fish harvest to increase food security and reduce market prices, benefiting hundreds of farmers. The programme aimed to provide resources and subsidies, improving local food supply chains and supporting the states’ agribusiness sector.
It also announced harvest from its 200-hectare farm that allegedly generated about 20,000 bags of milled rice per cycle, with an estimated value of ₦1 billion (approximately $1.3 million). To show support for private businesses, it unveiled a five-year rent waiver for Soilless Farm Lab’s youth training programme to create new agricultural businesses and skilled workers in the state.
Ogun State’s focus on agriculture is evident in its ₦65.38 billion allocation to the sector in the 2025 budget, reflecting a commitment to enhancing food security and supporting industrialisation.
its infrastructure developments further complement this focus by improving transport systems, road networks, and connectivity, which are essential for efficient food production and distribution. Additionally, initiatives announced in 2024 underline the state’s commitment to increasing local food production, stabilising market prices, supporting farmers, building capacity for youth-driven agribusinesses and creating skilled agricultural workers.
Moving forward, increased investments in rural development, innovative farming techniques, and sustainable food systems could enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security for the state’s residents.
