On Thursday, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governor of Ogun State, stated that talks about oil drilling in the state’s Olokola and Tongeji Island local government areas—Ipokia and Ogun Waterside, respectively—are moving forward at a rapid pace.

The governor announced that the state would soon receive frontier status and become a member of the nation’s league of oil-producing states.

This was said by Prince Abiodun at the Ogun State House of Assembly during the introduction of the 2024 Appropriations Bill, also known as the “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development.”

The oil exploration projects at Tongeji Island, Ipokia Local Government Area, and Olokola, Ogun Water-Side Local Government Area, are the subject of ongoing discussions, according to the governor. We are optimistic that we will receive frontier status very soon.

Abiodun also revealed that, in order to prepare the state for its new role as an oil-producing nation, his administration formed the Ministry of Mineral Resources, which is tasked with managing the overall management and operation of the abundant natural resources in the state.

Additionally, he revealed that in order to capitalize on the constitutional modification permitting subnational governments to engage in the energy industry, his administration founded the Ministry of Energy.

The governor stated that a number of issues facing the industry will be taken into consideration with an eye toward realigning education in the state. He also revealed that an Education Summit would take place in the first quarter of 2024.