The Ogun State government has invested over N2.25 billion to improve fish farming and boost agriculture. Governor Dapo Abiodun shared this during the official fish harvest event in Ijako-Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Represented by Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Governor said this project is helping to improve food security, create jobs, and support people’s livelihoods. He also said the government is working hard to reduce reliance on food imports and make Ogun State a top location for inland fish farming.

She explained that the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) was created to grow the economy through agriculture. Through this program, over 3,400 fish farmers have been supported. Each farmer received 72 bags of quality fish feed, with the government covering 30% of the cost. Altogether, more than 179,000 bags of feed have been given out.

Governor Abiodun said agriculture is serious business and the state will continue helping farmers with funds, tools, infrastructure, and access to markets and technology. This will attract more investment into the agriculture sector in Ogun State.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, who represented the State’s Chief Economic Adviser, said aquaculture (fish farming) is important not only for food production but also for creating jobs and supporting fish farmers in the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owotomo, added that over 3,000 farmers have benefited from the project. Ogun State currently produces 40,000 tonnes of fish each year, while the demand is more than 100,000 tonnes. He also mentioned that the government has spent over N5.4 billion on different agricultural programs.

Oba Odutola Adewunmi, who represented the Olota of Ota, praised the government for supporting agriculture and other sectors. Mr. Ebenezer Jinadu, the Cluster Chairman, thanked the government and the World Bank, saying the program helped many fish farmers reopen their businesses after they had closed.

However, some beneficiaries like Mr. Atiba Johnson and Mrs. Ogundipe Oluremi raised concerns about bad roads, which make it hard for customers to reach fish farms.