By Akin Akinyemi

Tuesday, February 3, 2026, marks a historic milestone in the Nigerian federation: the golden jubilee of Ogun State. Established in 1976 by the late General Murtala Rahmat Muhammed, the state’s creation signaled the dawn of a transformative journey that has catalyzed development not just for its residents, but for the nation at large. From its origins in the old Western State, Ogun has emerged as a beacon of political maturity, economic grit, and intellectual excellence.

The story of Ogun is inextricably linked to the giants who shaped modern Nigeria. Long before its formal carving, the region was the engine room of the Western Region’s legendary efficiency. It produced visionaries like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the Western Region, and Chief Simeon Adebo, whose leadership of the regional Public Service set a gold standard for "black Africa".

When the state was birthed, this legacy of excellence was seamlessly transitioned by founding fathers such as Chief A.A.K. Degun, the pioneer Head of Service. Alongside luminaries like Dr. P.T. Odumosu and Dr. S.O. Biobaku, these administrators laid a bedrock so solid that the new state found its feet with remarkable speed. This depth of talent remains a hallmark of the state, which has produced leaders across every field—from the military and industry to the arts and science, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

True to its appellation as the "Gateway State," Ogun serves as the vital artery connecting Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, to the rest of West Africa. Today, it has matured from a "Civil Service State" into Nigeria’s premier industrial hub, ranking second only to Lagos in manufacturing. Its profile is formidable:

 * Industrial Dominance: A leader in cement production, metal processing, and the "tie and dye" trade.

 * Educational Capital: Home to the nation’s first multi-campus university—Olabisi Onabanjo University—and a vast network of polytechnics.

 * Technological Frontier: Increasingly recognized as Nigeria’s emerging "Silicon Valley".

 * Agricultural Legacy: The exclusive home of Ofada rice and a major player in agro-industrialization.

As Ogun enters its second half-century, its ambitions are anchored by the Gateway International Airport. More than a mere transit point, this facility is the nucleus of a 5,000-hectare Aerotropolis—a self-sustaining "airport city". The project features a 4-kilometer runway—one of West Africa’s longest—capable of accommodating the world’s largest aircraft, such as the Airbus A380. Its true genius, however, lies in the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ). By integrating production, processing, and rapid export, the Aerotropolis offers a systemic solution to post-harvest losses, enabling Ogun’s farmers to reach global markets with perishable high-value crops like never before.

Ogun’s strength is drawn from its complex socio-cultural tapestry. Comprising groups such as the Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa, and Awori, along with sub-ethnicities like the Egun and Ohori, the state has turned its diversity into a developmental asset. This social vibrancy dates back to the 1930s, when the state was a center for the Nigerian women's movement under Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Today, that administrative complexity is managed through 20 local government areas and an expanded bureaucracy that has grown from nine to 23 ministries to meet modern demands.

While the Golden Jubilee is a time for celebration, it is also a moment for strategic projection. The next decades must focus on maximizing the state’s 185km international border and its proximity to Lagos to further drive economic prosperity. Simultaneously, there is a call to institutionalize systems that promote gender parity and the full integration of vulnerable groups and people with disabilities (PWDs).

Under its fifteenth Chief Executive, Ogun State looks back with pride and forward with confidence. Let the drums roll and the trumpets sound; the Gateway is open, and the future is golden.

Akin Akinyemi is a Director in the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy.