Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has granted clemency to 71 inmates as part of activities marking the 2026 New Year, describing the decision as a step toward rehabilitation, mercy, and giving deserving individuals a second chance.
The governor announced the decision during his 2026 New Year broadcast on Thursday, where he also reflected on the state’s progress and outlined his administration’s priorities for the year ahead.
According to Abiodun, the clemency exercise included the early release of 46 inmates who had served a significant portion of their short-term sentences.
He also approved the release of 19 inmates convicted of capital offences on compassionate grounds, citing old age, ill health, and prolonged incarceration. In addition, the death sentences of six inmates were commuted to life imprisonment.
The governor said the gesture was guided by the need to promote rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punishment alone.
He stressed that those granted clemency deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.
While addressing residents in the New Year message, Abiodun thanked the people of Ogun State for their continued support and patience, despite economic and social challenges faced in 2025.
He described Ogun State as more than a geographical space, saying 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 reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the government remains focused on building a prosperous and economically diversified Ogun State through strategic infrastructure and human capital 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.”
The governor, highlighting economic achievements, said Ogun State’s economy has grown significantly, with the state’s Gross Domestic Product estimated at about ₦17 trillion. He also disclosed that Internally Generated Revenue increased from ₦52 billion in 2020 to ₦250 billion in 2025.
On infrastructure, Abiodun listed major projects executed by his administration, including the completion of the Gateway International Airport, described as one of the fastest-built international airports globally.
He also mentioned the construction of over 1,500 kilometres of roads across the state’s 20 local government areas, as well as ongoing work on the Kajola and Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Ports.
In the health sector, the governor said the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme has been expanded to cover more than 70,000 residents.
He added that health facilities have been renovated, solar-powered energy systems deployed, Electronic Medical Records introduced, and a 250-bed Medical Centre of Excellence completed.
Abiodun also highlighted progress in education and skills development, noting that science laboratories were renovated, government technical colleges rehabilitated, and over 39,000 people empowered through various skills acquisition programmes.
In agriculture, he said the government supported more than 33,000 farmers, mechanised about 9,000 hectares of farmland, and established processing facilities across farm settlements to improve food security and agro-industrial growth.
The governor further disclosed that his administration disbursed ₦560 million in grants to women-owned businesses, supported over 54,000 women, and provided ₦600 million in grants to 5,400 businesses to boost job creation.
The governor on security said public safety has been strengthened through the recruitment and equipping of about 6,700 security personnel across the state.
He assured residents that the government will continue to pursue policies aimed at sustainable development and shared prosperity in 2026.
