Ogun State, the “Gateway to Nigeria’s South-West,” wasn’t always a bustling industrial state. In fact, its early leadership dealt with challenges like finding office space for government workers who had to commute from another state.
This list takes a look at the story of Ogun State’s governors, both military and civilian, who have guided the state into what it is today.
READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Zamfara State (1996-Present)
Complete List Of Past And Current Governors Of Ogun State
Name | Began Tenure | Ended Tenure | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
Saidu Ayodele Balogun | Mar 1976 | Jul 1978 | Military |
Harris Eghagha | Jul 1978 | Oct 1979 | Military |
Olabisi Onabanjo | Oct 1979 | Dec 1983 | UPN |
Oladipo Diya | Jan 1984 | Aug 1985 | Military |
Oladayo Popoola | Aug 1985 | 1986 | Military |
Raji Alagbe Rasaki | 1986 | Dec 1987 | Military |
Mohammed Lawal | Dec 1987 | Aug 1990 | Military |
Oladeinde Joseph | Aug 1990 | Jan 1992 | Military |
Olusegun Osoba | January 1992 | November 1993 | SDP |
Daniel Akintonde | 9 Dec 1993 | 22 Aug 1996 | Military |
Sam Ewang | 22 Aug 1996 | Aug 1998 | Military |
Kayode Olofin-Moyin | Aug 1998 | 29 May 1999 | Military |
Olusegun Osoba | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2003 | AD; AC |
Gbenga Daniel | 29 May 2003 | May 2011 | PDP |
Ibikunle Amosun | 29 May 2011 | 29 May 2019 | ACN/ APC |
Dapo Abiodun | 29 May 2019 | Incumbent | APC |
Who Was The First Military Governor Of Ogun State?
The first military governor of Ogun State was Major General Saidu Ayodele Balogun. He took office in March 1976 after Ogun State was created from part of the old Western State of Nigeria. Balogun served as governor until July 1978 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
Before becoming governor, Balogun was the infantry brigade commander during the coup in July 1975 when General Murtala Mohammed ousted General Yakubu Gowon.
When Balogun was appointed as the governor of Ogun State by Murtala Mohammed’s successor, Olusegun Obasanjo, he faced various challenges.
One of the significant challenges Balogun encountered was the need to find accommodation for government workers. Initially, many government workers had to commute from Ibadan in the new Oyo State to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
However, by the end of Balogun’s term in office, most of them had found local accommodations, easing the burden of commuting.
Also, Balogun had to address the issue of establishing government offices in Ogun State. At first, most government offices were rented, but Balogun worked towards finding permanent solutions for office spaces.
During his tenure, Balogun made efforts to improve education and healthcare in Ogun State. He set up the Ogun State School of Health Technology in Ilese-Ijebu, starting initially on a temporary site.
This initiative aimed to enhance healthcare services and provide educational opportunities for the people of Ogun State.
Who Was The First Civilian Governor Of Ogun State?
The first civilian governor of Ogun State was Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo, and he served from October 1, 1979, to December 31, 1983, during the Nigerian Second Republic. Onabanjo was born on February 12, 1927, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Before moving into politics, Onabanjo worked as a journalist and wrote a column called Aiyekooto, meaning “parrot,” known for telling the plain truth.
In 1977, he was elected chairman of the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, and under the guidance of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he later became governor of Ogun State in October 1979, running on the Unity Party of Nigeria platform.
During his tenure as governor, Onabanjo was known for his straightforwardness and plain-speaking nature. His administration in Ogun State was considered exemplary at the time and beyond.
He achieved significant landmarks, including the commissioning of Ogun Television on May 13, 1982. Besides, he established the Ogun State University, later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University in his honor, and the Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic.
However, his political career faced challenges when General Muhammadu Buhari took power in a military coup. Onabanjo was imprisoned for several years but eventually returned to journalism, writing his Aiyekooto column in the Nigerian Tribune from 1987 to 1989. Sadly, Chief Onabanjo passed away on April 14, 1990.
READ ALSO: List Of Governors Of Zamfara State (1996-Present)
Who Is The Current Governor Of Ogun State?
The current governor of Ogun State is Dapo Abiodun. He became governor on May 29, 2019, succeeding Ibikunle Amosun. Abiodun is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party.
Dapo Abiodun was born on May 29, 1960, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, from a royal family in Iperu. Abiodun attended Christ’s School Ado Ekiti, St. Joseph’s College Ondo, and Ondo High School.
He later studied Civil Engineering at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and obtained a BBA in Accounting from Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1986. Abiodun once worked as a Cost Accountant at Glock Inc. in the United States.
Upon returning to Nigeria, he became involved in entrepreneurship, serving as Chairman of various companies, including Crestar Hydrocarbons Limited, OMS-Heyden Exploration and Production Limited, and Heyden Petroleum Ltd.
He also served as Chairman of the Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association (DAPPMA) from 2012 to 2019.
Abiodun’s political career began in 1998 when he won the Ogun East Senatorial seat, although his victory was later nullified. Then he joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and contested for the governorship ticket in Ogun State in 2002.
In 2019, he contested and won the governorship ticket of the APC in Ogun State, eventually becoming the 5th elected Governor of the state.
Abiodun has focused on implementing developmental agendas to improve infrastructure, social well-being, education, youth empowerment, job creation, and agriculture in Ogun State.
He was re-elected as governor in 2023, defeating candidates from other political parties. However, Abiodun’s governorship has been tainted by controversies, including allegations of certificate forgery and his involvement in offshore companies revealed in the Pandora Papers.
Also, there have been reports of his criminal record from 1986, involving credit card fraud and other offenses in the United States under the pseudonym “Shawn Michael Davids.”