Nigeria's Ogun State Empowers Youths, Women, Farmers Through Economic Transformation Project

• Over the last five years, the Ogun State Government has been carrying out the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP)
• The program's main goals have been to empower and train women, youth, farmers, and technicians

Through its five-year Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), the Ogun State government has reported notable successes that have empowered youths, women, farmers, and technicians throughout the state. OGSTEP is a multi-sectoral initiative with World Bank support that aims to improve governance reforms, skills development, agriculture, and the Business Enabling Environment (BEE).

Government and World Bank teams examined the project's progress as it approaches completion at the 7th Implementation Support Mission (ISM), which was held in Abeokuta. Over 65,000 people have benefited from OGSTEP programs, according to Dapo Okubadejo, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, who was represented by Olaolu Olabimtan, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning.

In agriculture, more than 24,835 farmers have received support in crop production, aquaculture, and poultry, while rehabilitation of poultry pens and storage facilities is underway to improve capacity and reduce losses. In the area of skills development, all eight state technical colleges are being refurbished and prepared for new equipment, with over 17,000 people already trained in literacy and vocational skills and another 24,000 currently undergoing training through the Ogun Skills Fund (OSF).

In order to strengthen property rights and increase investor confidence, the government has facilitated more than 15,000 Certificates of Occupancy under the BEE component. Abayomi Arigbabu, Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, stated that the state has restored its eight technical colleges and given science instructors and young people training and startup kits.

According to Mosunmola Owo-Odusi, the project coordinator, the ISM's goal for its last year was to evaluate project results. Additionally, she emphasized the efforts of the Gender and Safeguards Unit, which has equipped and restored four Sexual Assault Referral Centers (SARCs) throughout Ogun State. A possible extension of OGSTEP is being discussed, taking into account its influence and continued importance to the growth of the state.