Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday unveiled the Laderin–Prof. Wole Soyinka Train Station Road in Abeokuta, the state capital, announcing plans to inaugurate 20 additional roads across the state as part of activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary.
The state, which was created on February 13, 1976 by the military government of late Gen. Murtala Muhammed alongside others including Oyo, Ondo, Benue, Bauchi, Borno, Imo and Niger, will be 50 years old by February 2026.
Speaking at the inuguration, the governor said construction work was progressing steadily on the Sagamu Interchange–Papalanto–Opele Road, describing the 100-kilometre highway as a critical East–West connector within the state.
He stated that the road, when completed, would provide motorists with an alternative route, eliminating the need to pass through Abeokuta before accessing other parts of the country, while also opening up the corridor for increased commercial activities.
The governor said, “Let me share with you the biggest secret of our reconstruction efforts right now – the Ogun East–West Connector. This road stretches from the Sagamu Interchange through Papalanto to Opele, covering about 100 kilometres.
“We have completely closed off the road for reconstruction. As we speak, between Sagamu Interchange and Papalanto, which is about 40 kilometres, we have reconstructed approximately 25 kilometres using reinforced concrete.
“When completed, trucks and vehicles conveying goods and services from Ota, Ifo and Ewekoro will no longer need to use the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway, as they can connect directly to Papalanto and access the expressway.”