Civic Group Challenges Ogun Government on Transparency, Healthcare, LG Funding

A civic advocacy group, the Lygel Youths and Leadership Initiative, has raised concerns over governance, transparency and public accountability in Ogun State, alleging irregularities in local government funding, procurement processes, infrastructure development and healthcare delivery.

Addressing journalists in Abeokuta, the group’s Executive Director, Lekan Oladapo, said the state must move beyond political slogans and focus on measurable governance outcomes as the current administration enters its final year.

The group referenced the 2023 allegations by former Ijebu East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Wale Adedayo, who accused the Ogun State Government of withholding federal allocations and ecological funds meant for local councils. While the state government had denied the allegations, the organisation claimed many councils still struggle to fund rural roads, primary healthcare centres and grassroots projects.

According to the coalition, the situation contradicts the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local governments.

The organisation also questioned transparency in public procurement, citing reports that civil society groups used Freedom of Information requests to obtain details on the proposed N1.39 billion Ogun State House of Assembly Complex project. The group argued that the absence of an open procurement portal has fuelled public concerns over project funding and contractor disclosures.

On infrastructure, the coalition criticised conditions within the Agbara-Atan-Lusada industrial corridor, saying poor road networks and inadequate planning in border communities continue to discourage investment despite Ogun State’s strategic proximity to Lagos.

The group further challenged the state government to provide evidence of major newly constructed state-owned hospitals completed during the current administration.

It alleged that many primary healthcare centres and general hospitals still face shortages of staff, equipment and modern facilities.

The coalition also called for clarification on long-standing public allegations linked to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s past legal history in the United States.

Governor Abiodun has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and maintained that he was never convicted of any crime.

The group urged anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC and ICPC, to make public the outcomes of investigations relating to allegations of local government fund diversion and procurement irregularities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State Government had not issued a fresh response to the latest claims.