The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Joint Campus Council (JCC), and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) have lauded the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun for what they described as remarkable strides in education, infrastructure, agriculture, industrial development, security and youth empowerment.

The student bodies, in a joint statement signed by NANS Ogun JCC Chairman, Habeeblahi Adekunle Tijani, and NAOSS National President, Olubodun Olalekan, said the administration’s interventions across key sectors had contributed to the development of Ogun State since 2019.

They said, as representatives of students and young people in the state, they had followed the policies and programmes of the administration and considered it important to recognise what they described as genuine progress recorded across various sectors.

On education, the associations commended the government for its interventions in the renovation and construction of schools, provision of learning materials, recruitment of teachers and improvement of learning environments.

They also acknowledged government attention to tertiary education and student welfare, describing investment in education as an investment in the future of the state.

The associations said the administration’s road construction, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects had improved connectivity among communities, commercial centres, industrial clusters and other parts of the state.

They noted that improved road infrastructure was particularly important to Ogun because of its agricultural and industrial activities, stressing that good roads connect farmers to markets, students to schools, workers to workplaces and businesses to customers.

The student bodies, however, urged the government to sustain attention to rural roads and other areas where infrastructure deficits remained.

On agriculture, NANS and NAOSS hailed the administration for initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural production, supporting farmers, promoting food security and strengthening the agricultural value chain.

They urged the government to make farming more attractive to young people through improved access to inputs, equipment, markets and other opportunities.

The associations also praised the administration’s housing interventions, saying the provision of decent and affordable accommodation remained critical to the wellbeing of residents, particularly young people and low- and middle-income earners.

On industrialisation, the groups said Ogun had continued to strengthen its position as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial hubs, attributing the growing presence and expansion of industries partly to investor confidence in the state’s economic environment.

They said investments in the state had created employment opportunities, stimulated local businesses and provided young people with opportunities to develop their skills and build sustainable careers.

The student leaders urged the government to sustain efforts to improve the ease of doing business, infrastructure and security to attract more investors.

On security, NANS and NAOSS lauded Abiodun for his support for security agencies during the recent abduction of seven students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, which ended with their safe rescue.

They described the students’ safe return as a moment of relief for their families and the wider student community, while commending the security agencies and others involved in the rescue operation.

The associations urged the government to strengthen security around tertiary institutions, student communities and major routes used by students.

They also commended the administration’s youth-oriented initiatives, saying young people required opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, technical skills and innovation beyond academic qualifications.

The student bodies called for greater engagement with students and youth organisations in the formulation and implementation of policies affecting young people.

While commending the governor, NANS and NAOSS urged the administration to sustain investment in education and student welfare, improve campus security, expand agricultural support, address remaining road infrastructure gaps, promote affordable housing and continue creating an enabling environment for industries and businesses.