BENIN CITY, Nigeria (ChatnewsTV) — In his final statewide address on Tuesday, outgoing Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki celebrated the economic and infrastructural strides achieved during his eight-year administration. Obaseki, whose tenure ended November 12, 2024, noted that the state’s economy grew from N10 billion to over N25 billion, with internally generated revenue expected to reach N85 billion by December.
“Our economy has grown from N10 billion when I took over office to over N25 billion today,” Obaseki said. “Our internally generated revenue will peak at N85 billion by December this year.” He praised his administration’s efforts in various sectors, from agriculture and oil and gas to manufacturing.
Highlighting Edo’s agricultural advances, Obaseki said, “We started a revolution in agriculture in Edo State where, under the Edo State Oil Palm Program, we have allocated over 120,000 hectares of land for oil palm estate development, with 40,000 hectares already cultivated.” This initiative, along with cassava cultivation projects, has positioned Edo as “Nigeria’s preeminent palm oil and cassava producing state.”
In the oil and gas sector, Obaseki celebrated the establishment of modular refineries, including the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company and the DuPont Energy Park. “We have attracted two modular refineries, which operate at 6,000 and 5,000 barrels per day, respectively, contributing significantly to our state’s petrochemical industry,” he said. Edo has also welcomed manufacturing investments across sectors like ceramics, tiles, glass, iron and steel, and cement, he added.
The governor reflected on extensive infrastructure upgrades, noting that over 850 kilometers of roads were constructed across the state’s local governments. “We now generate almost 1,000 MW of electricity daily, and with our new electricity law, we have an electricity market attracting investors in digital infrastructure,” Obaseki stated, adding that Edo now boasts nearly 2,500 kilometers of fiber optic cable networks.
Obaseki, who is succeeded by Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, expressed pride in his legacy, particularly in laying out a strategic plan for the state’s future. “As I come to the end of my tenure in office and reflect on the journey these last eight years, there is sufficient evidence to show the remarkable progress we have made by working together with all those who mean well for our state and country,” he said. “We have demonstrated that it is possible to change the circumstances of our state.”
Reflecting on his achievements, Obaseki concluded, “I am leaving behind something I wasn’t fortunate to inherit—a plan which will serve as a compass for the future.”
