|By Chinwendu Nwani
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved clemency for 71 inmates as part of activities marking the 2026 New Year, a move he said underscores his administration’s commitment to rehabilitation, mercy, and reintegration.
Abiodun announced the decision during his 2026 New Year broadcast on Thursday, where he reviewed the state’s socio-economic progress and outlined priorities for the year ahead.
The governor disclosed that 46 inmates were granted early release after serving a substantial portion of their short-term sentences. He also approved the release of 19 inmates convicted of capital offences on compassionate grounds, citing advanced age, ill health, and prolonged incarceration. In addition, the death sentences of six inmates were commuted to life imprisonment.
According to him, the clemency exercise reflects a shift from punishment alone to correction and reintegration, stressing that beneficiaries deserve a second chance to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to society.
In his New Year message, Abiodun thanked residents for their support and resilience despite the economic and social challenges faced in 2025, describing Ogun State as a community bound by shared purpose and collective responsibility.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the state remains focused on economic diversification, strategic infrastructure, and human capital development. He said deliberate reforms and targeted investments are being deployed to build an economy that creates opportunities while protecting the most vulnerable.
Highlighting economic performance, the governor said Ogun State’s Gross Domestic Product is estimated at about ₦17 trillion, while Internally Generated Revenue rose from ₦52 billion in 2020 to ₦250 billion in 2025.
On infrastructure, Abiodun listed the completion of the Gateway International Airport, describing it as one of the fastest-built international airports in the world, alongside the construction of over 1,500 kilometres of roads across the state’s 20 local government areas. He added that work is ongoing on the Kajola and Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Ports.
In the health sector, the governor said the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme now covers more than 70,000 residents, with renovated health facilities, solar-powered energy systems, Electronic Medical Records, and a completed 250-bed Medical Centre of Excellence.
He also reported progress in education and skills development, noting the renovation of science laboratories, rehabilitation of technical colleges, and the empowerment of over 39,000 residents through skills acquisition programmes.
In agriculture, Abiodun said the government supported more than 33,000 farmers, mechanised about 9,000 hectares of farmland, and established processing facilities across farm settlements to strengthen food security and agro-industrial growth.
He further disclosed that ₦560 million was disbursed in grants to women-owned businesses, benefiting over 54,000 women, while ₦600 million in grants supported 5,400 businesses to stimulate job creation.
On security, the governor said public safety has been boosted through the recruitment and equipping of about 6,700 security personnel across the state.
Abiodun assured residents that his administration will sustain policies aimed at shared prosperity and sustainable development throughout 2026.
