Time is running out for Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to cement his place in history. With approximately three years remaining in his tenure, analysts are calling for urgent and decisive action to deliver transformative projects that will define his legacy.
The Clock is Ticking on Aiyedatiwa's Administration
Although Governor Aiyedatiwa has been at the helm in Ondo State for nearly two years, his performance record remains a subject of debate for some observers. However, leadership offers the chance for redemption through bold decisions. A single strategic policy direction could radically reshape his administration's narrative and establish him as a visionary leader.
The most significant opportunity lies in unlocking the state's vast economic potential through its coastal corridor. Ondo State enjoys a prime geographical position next to Lagos, Africa's commercial powerhouse. Yet, it has failed to fully capitalize on the economic overflow from this proximity, unlike neighbouring Ogun State which has reaped substantial industrial benefits.
Blueprint for Economic Transformation
The path to legacy, according to observers, is clear and hinges on several key infrastructure projects. First is the strategic development of the coastal axis linking areas like Lekki and Epe to Ondo's entire coastline. This move is seen as a gateway to unprecedented prosperity.
A major game-changer is the proposed refinery earmarked for this coastal zone. Governor Aiyedatiwa must pursue its commencement with dexterity and urgency. The state has learned painful lessons from history, having watched the Dangote refinery project slip away to Lagos during the administrations of former leaders Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Senator Ibikunle Amosun. Repeating such a mistake would be costly.
The activation of the refinery would trigger a statewide economic revolution. It would spur job creation, ignite industrial clusters, boost logistics businesses, expand housing, and grow service industries, with benefits felt even in the northern senatorial district.
Seizing Federal Partnerships and Infrastructure
The administration is advised to proactively partner with the Federal Government to designate the coastal axis as an Export Processing Zone (EPZ). This status would attract export-oriented industries and massive investment, potentially turning the zone into one of Nigeria's new industrial hubs.
Furthermore, the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The governor is urged to immediately survey the corridor and construct strategic linking roads. These access roads would connect communities, unlock land assets, and multiply the economic benefits of the federal highway, attracting real estate developers and industrial expansion.
The logical complement to a refinery is a deep seaport. With the Federal Government already considering constructing one in the zone, Governor Aiyedatiwa should employ diplomatic skill and persistent follow-up to ensure the project materializes under his watch. The combination of a refinery and a deep seaport would transform Ondo into a major logistics, maritime, and industrial centre, dramatically increasing internally generated revenue and uplifting communities.
A Call to Action: From Announcements to Reality
The final advice to the governor is a potent one: avoid letting these opportunities become another set of brilliant but unfulfilled announcements, akin to the abandoned Millennium City project in Abuja. Success requires assembling the right team of experienced and committed professionals to quietly and diligently turn vision into tangible reality.
The message is clear: governing for legacy is not merely an option but a profound responsibility. For Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the window to act, build, and inscribe his name in the honour roll of Ondo State's history is wide open, but it is closing fast. The time for decisive action is now.
