To accelerate implementation and expand economic opportunities in the state, Ogun State government has reallocated resources under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme to support the garment factory and other activities within the state’s Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Chief Economic Adviser and Chairman, Steering Committee for SAPZ, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this in Abeokuta during the Mid-term Review Mission of the SAPZ Programme when the team from the African Development Bank (AfDB) visited.

He said that the resource reallocation became necessary to ensure optimal utilisation of available funding and maximise the economic potential of Ogun State’s agricultural sector.

The state helmsman explained that nearly 75 per cent of Ogun State’s landmass was suitable for both cash and food crop cultivation, making the SAPZ initiative vital to the state’s food security and economic development agenda.

Abiodun said Ogun State is largely agrarian, with about 75 per cent of its soil suitable for farming.

Addressing the AfDB delegation led by Mr. Bernard Ozinma, the governor said the Integrated Industrial Platform, Remo, a free trade Zone with private partnership with the state government, consisted of four major zones within the hub including; Green Agriculture Zone, Logistics and Distribution Zone, Light Industrial Zone and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone being the largest zone, with over 2,000 hectares earmarked within the Arise Integrated Industrial Platform.

He explained that his administration was pursuing quick wins capable of stimulating immediate economic activities that would positively impact the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP).

Abiodun also highlighted several donor-supported intervention programmes being implemented in the state, including OGSTEP, OG-CARES, RAAMP and the Value Chain Development Programme.

He noted that under these initiatives, agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, urea, rice seedlings and cassava cuttings were heavily subsidised for farmers to improve productivity and boost food production across the state.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaitan Olabintan, said the hub was strategically selected within the state’s aerotropolis corridor to attract both local and foreign investors as well as the location of the Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATC) located at Sawonjo in Yewa-North and Technology Park, Ijebu-East to support agricultural value chains within the zones.

In his remarks, AfDB Task Manager, Mr. Bernard Ozinma, explained that the purpose of the mid-term review mission was to assess the implementation progress of the project, evaluate the level of traction achieved and inspect ongoing construction works at the Industrial Platform, Remo free trade Zone.

He added that the delegation was equally interested in reviewing the number of investors attracted to the project and the level of infrastructure development.

Welcoming the AfDB delegation, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security and Chairman, Technical Committee, Bolu Owotomo, assured the team that implementation would be accelerated to ensure timely achievement of the project’s objectives.

Recall that the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones Programme was an initiative of the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government, AfDB, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), which was designed to create employment, boost productivity for exportable surplus and improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers.

Wakanow Launches Nationwide Road Tour Across 20 States
Wakanow, Nigeria’s leading travel company, has launched an ambitious nationwide road tour aimed at bringing travel experiences, exclusive offers, and meaningful community impact directly to Nigerians across the country.

The initiative, which kicked off in major cities including Lagos, Abuja, and Yola, is set to extend across 20 states, reinforcing Wakanow’s commitment to making travel more accessible, relatable, and closer to everyday Nigerians, while training the people on how to make side income through the Wakanow Affiliate training and programme.

The road tour reflects the firm’s vision as a forward-thinking travel brand that not only connects people to destinations around the world but also connects deeply with local communities.

Through interactive city activations, customer engagement experiences, and on-ground travel support, the company is redefining how Nigerians experience travel services.

Speaking on the initiative, the firm emphasised that the campaign goes beyond promoting travel packages and holiday deals. It is about creating real human connections and demonstrating that travel can be both accessible and impactful.

As part of the nationwide campaign, the firm partnered with Green Girl Foundation to give back to women and girls in host communities through the distribution of sanitary and feminine care kits. The outreach initiative is designed to support dignity, hygiene awareness, and community wellbeing across various cities visited during the tour.

The partnership underscores its growing focus on social responsibility and community-driven impact, positioning the company not only as a market leader in travel but also as a compassionate brand invested in improving lives.

“While Wakanow was coming to the cities to connect with the people, we also wanted to ensure we were giving back meaningfully to the communities we visited,” the company stated. “This initiative reflects our belief that brands should not only create experiences but also create impact.”

With this nationwide activation, the company continues to strengthen its position as one of Nigeria’s most innovative travel companies combining accessibility, customer engagement, and social impact to shape the future of travel in Africa.