Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved clemency for 71 inmates as part of the activities marking the 2026 New Year, describing the action as a move centred on rehabilitation, compassion, and offering deserving individuals another opportunity.
The governor announced this during his 2026 New Year broadcast on Thursday, where he also reflected on the progress recorded in the state and outlined his administration’s priorities for the year ahead.
According to Abiodun, the clemency exercise covered the early release of 46 inmates who had already served a considerable portion of their short-term sentences.
He further approved the discharge of 19 inmates convicted of capital offences on compassionate grounds, citing factors such as old age, ill health, and lengthy incarceration. In addition, the death sentences of six inmates were reduced to life imprisonment.
The governor explained that the gesture was guided by the desire to promote rehabilitation and reintegration rather than focusing solely on punishment.
He emphasised that those who benefited from the clemency exercise deserve the chance to rebuild their lives and make positive contributions to society.
While addressing residents in his New Year message, Abiodun expressed appreciation to the people of Ogun State for their continued patience and support despite the economic and social difficulties experienced in 2025.
He described Ogun State as more than just a geographical territory, stating that it is “a community bound by shared purpose, mutual support, and a collective desire for progress.”
“Our shared experience has reaffirmed a simple but powerful truth: when citizens and government work together in trust and shared responsibility, progress is inevitable,” the governor said.
He restated his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the government remains dedicated to building a prosperous and economically diversified Ogun State through human capital and strategic infrastructure development.
“Our vision remains focused on building a prosperous and inclusive Ogun State driven by economic diversification, strategic infrastructure, and human capital development,” Abiodun said.
“Through deliberate reforms, targeted investments, and forward-looking policies, we are building an economy that creates opportunities for all and protects the most vulnerable.”
Highlighting economic achievements, the governor stated that Ogun State’s economy has recorded significant expansion, with the state’s Gross Domestic Product estimated at about ₦17 trillion. He also revealed that Internally Generated Revenue increased from ₦52 billion in 2020 to ₦250 billion in 2025.
On infrastructure, Abiodun listed key projects delivered by his administration, including the completion of the Gateway International Airport, which he described as one of the world’s fastest-built international airports.
He also mentioned the construction of more than 1,500 kilometres of roads across the 20 local government areas of the state, in addition to ongoing work on the Kajola and Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Ports.
In the health sector, the governor stated that the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme has been expanded to include more than 70,000 residents.
He added that health facilities have been upgraded, solar-powered energy systems have been installed, Electronic Medical Records have been deployed, and a 250-bed Medical Centre of Excellence has been completed.
Abiodun also highlighted advances in education and skills development, explaining that science laboratories were renovated, government technical colleges refurbished, and over 39,000 individuals were empowered through different skills acquisition programmes.
In agriculture, he stated that the government supported more than 33,000 farmers, mechanised about 9,000 hectares of farmland, and established processing centres across farm settlements to strengthen food security and agro-industrial development.
The governor further revealed that his administration provided ₦560 million in grants to women-owned enterprises, supported over 54,000 women, and disbursed ₦600 million in grants to 5,400 businesses to promote job creation.
Speaking on security, the governor said public safety has been enhanced through the recruitment and equipping of about 6,700 security personnel across the state.
He assured residents that the government will continue to implement policies aimed at sustainable development and shared prosperity in 2026.
