Nigeria May Get First Female Governor in Ogun State 2027

A former senator and daughter of a Nigerian president just launched a campaign that could shatter one of Africa's most stubborn glass ceilings.

Professor Iyabo Obasanjo announced her bid to become Nigeria's first elected female state governor during a media gathering in Abeokuta, Ogun State. She presented a comprehensive development plan centered on creating jobs and boosting economic opportunity for everyday residents.

"Ogun State is going to be the first state to elect a female governor," Obasanjo declared at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. She pointed to the state's educated population and historical tradition of women warriors and community leaders as evidence that voters are ready for this milestone.

Her proposed agenda tackles multiple fronts simultaneously. She wants to expand the state's growing industrial base, which has already attracted numerous factories that create jobs and tax revenue. The proximity to Lagos, one of Africa's largest consumer markets, gives Ogun State a natural advantage she plans to leverage.

On agriculture, Obasanjo emphasizes moving beyond raw crop production to processing and packaging. This value addition approach would create more jobs while increasing export earnings. She sees agriculture and industrialization working hand in hand rather than as separate sectors.

Education reform sits at the heart of her vision. Obasanjo plans to establish a specialized secondary school focused on science and technology to prepare students for careers in innovation and research. She wants Ogun State to reclaim its reputation as an educational leader in Nigeria.

Technology hubs and innovation centers feature prominently in her jobs plan. "There are enormous opportunities in ICT and digital services," she explained, arguing that young people need preparation for future careers in these expanding fields.

Tourism represents what Obasanjo calls an underutilized opportunity. Visitors already travel from Lagos to Abeokuta by rail for leisure, but attractions like Olumo Rock and the OOPL Museum need full development alongside improved hotels and hospitality services.

Addressing her decade away from active politics, Obasanjo framed her international career experience as an asset. "I do not see governance as something I must hold onto for survival. I see it as service," she said, noting that democracy works best when citizens serve and return to private life rather than treating politics as a permanent career.

The Ripple Effect

If successful, Obasanjo's election would mark a turning point for women's political representation across Nigeria's 36 states. Despite having female ministers and lawmakers, no Nigerian state has ever elected a woman as governor since the return to democracy in 1999.

Her candidacy arrives at a moment when several African nations are making strides in women's leadership. The campaign focuses squarely on economic issues that matter to everyday families: disposable income, job opportunities, and quality education for children.

"When people say the economy is bad, what they mean is that people do not have money to spend," Obasanjo explained. Her emphasis on measurable economic outcomes over political rhetoric resonates with voters tired of empty promises.

Ogun State voters will decide in 2027 whether they're ready to make history while betting on a development agenda that puts job creation first.