Ogun will elect Nigeria’s first female gov in 2027 – Iyabo Obasanjo

2026-02-28 - 11:37

By James Ogunnaike A former Senator and daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, has declared that Ogun State is on course to elect its first female governor, as she formally outlined her gubernatorial ambition during a media parley in Abeokuta. Prof. Obasanjo spoke with journalists at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), where she unveiled a development-driven agenda anchored on industrial growth, agricultural value addition, education reform, technology advancement, tourism expansion, improved transportation and, above all, job creation. She said, “Ogun State is one of the most educated and developed states in the country. Because of that, I believe it is well-positioned to elect a female governor before many other states. “The state has a long history of female leadership and community influence. Women leadership is not alien to the culture of the people. We have had women leaders and women warriors in our history. Female leadership is not strange to us. It is part of who we are. Ogun State is going to be the first state to elect a female governor.” Presenting what she described as a comprehensive blueprint for the state’s development, Obasanjo said her vision is built on economic growth, sustainable development and job creation. She commended the current administration’s industrial drive, noting that the influx of factories has boosted employment and tax revenue. “With factories come jobs, opportunities and increased internally generated revenue. Ogun has the potential to become a major industrial hub. We must deepen this industrial base and ensure it translates into wealth creation for our people,” she said. On agriculture, she emphasised the need to move beyond primary production to value addition. “We have vast land and we are strategically located near Lagos, a major consumer market. But we must go beyond producing raw crops. We must process and package what we produce so we can earn more from exports and create more jobs. Agriculture and industrialisation must work together,” she stated. While describing education as foundational, the former lawmaker said Ogun must reclaim its status as the cradle of education. She disclosed plans to establish a specialised secondary school focused on science and technology to nurture high-performing students for careers in innovation and research. “We must prepare our young people for the future. There are enormous opportunities in ICT and digital services. By creating technology hubs and innovation centres, we can position Ogun as a leader in tech-driven employment,” she said. According to her, every aspect of her plan is tied to jobs and improving disposable income among residents. “When people say the economy is bad, what they mean is that people do not have money to spend. A healthy economy means citizens have disposable income. That is what we must build,” she added. On tourism, she identified the sector as an underutilised one, noting that many visitors already travel from Lagos to Abeokuta by rail for leisure. She called for the full development of key tourist attractions, including Olumo Rock and the OOPL Museum, alongside improved hospitality infrastructure such as quality hotels and services. “Tourism creates jobs and brings new money into the state. It is an opportunity we have not fully tapped,” she said. On transportation, she advocated improved connectivity across the state, as well as enhanced road safety measures to address increased truck traffic resulting from industrial growth. “The presence of trucks is a sign of development, but we must ensure safety for all road users,” she noted. Responding to questions about her decade-long absence from active politics, Obasanjo described her international exposure as an asset rather than a liability. “I have built a successful career outside politics, and I am comfortable returning to it at any time. That means I do not see governance as something I must hold onto for survival. I see it as service,” she said. She argued that democracy was designed for citizens to serve and return to private life, not as a permanent career. Citing the example of Bola Tinubu, she noted that the President served as governor and later returned to elective office after years outside government, describing such transitions as healthy for democracy. Dismissing claims that she is disconnected from the grassroots, Obasanjo said she remains deeply rooted in local communities, recalling visits to remote areas such as Odeda and Obafemi-Owode during her previous campaigns. “The grassroots are my strength,” she said.