The Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna, has lauded the Ogun State Government for implementing “investor-friendly” policies that have transformed the state into a premier destination for high-impact capital and long-term developmental partnerships.
Leading a delegation of senior bank executives on a visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ogbonna noted that the state’s strategic approach to governance has moved beyond mere investment attraction to creating a sustainable ecosystem for shared prosperity. During the visit, the Access Bank chief expressed profound satisfaction with the tangible infrastructure projects currently dotting the state’s landscape, citing them as evidence of a transparent and functional administration.
“I am extremely proud. Ogun State is making it a habit of showing Nigerians what a working democracy looks like,” Ogbonna remarked, adding that the transformation of ideas into physical infrastructure underscores a deep-seated commitment to excellence.
He further emphasised that the state’s policy framework fosters an environment where financial institutions feel confident in backing large-scale, visionary projects.
A focal point of the commendation was the development of the Gateway International Airport, a project Ogbonna described as a masterstroke of bold leadership and strategic urban planning, confirming Access Bank’s continued support for the initiative.
“Ogun’s policies have gone beyond driving investment inflows… they foster partnerships focused on long-term development and a shared vision for the state’s future,” the CEO noted.
Access Bank has been a key financial pillar for the airport project, a role Ogbonna says aligns with the bank’s mission to finance initiatives that serve as catalysts for regional economic expansion.
Responding to the delegation, Governor Abiodun described Access Bank as a “reliable development partner”, praising the institution for its ability to recognise the potential of the state’s master plan during its earliest stages. The governor highlighted that the success of the Gateway International Airport and other key projects is a testament to what can be achieved when private capital aligns with public intent.
“They saw the vision from the outset and backed it. A vision without funding is merely a hallucination,” Governor Abiodun stated. He added that the collaboration between the state and the bank serves as a model for Public-Private Partnerships in Nigeria, ensuring that impactful infrastructure is not just conceived but executed to completion.
As Ogun State continues to expand its industrial and logistical footprint, the endorsement from one of Africa’s largest financial institutions signals a continued bullish outlook for the state’s economic trajectory.
Ogun State, often referred to as Nigeria’s industrial hub, has leveraged its proximity to Lagos to attract manufacturing and logistics firms. The Gateway International Airport, located at Iperu-Ilishan, is designed as a cargo and passenger hub to further decongest Lagos and provide a direct export route for the state’s industrial zones.
In an era of shrinking government budgets, the “Ogun Model” relies heavily on attracting private banks like Access Bank to provide the capital for long-term infrastructure. This report highlights the importance of ‘bankability’, the idea that a government’s vision must be solid enough for a commercial bank to risk its funds on it.
