The Ogun State Government, with German and Swiss support through GIZ, has convened a meeting of stakeholders to advance sustainable skills development, employment and enterprise initiatives across the state.

The third Ogun State partners’ workshop under the Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEDEC) attracted over 70 participants from government, the private sector, civil society and development partners.

Speaking at the workshop in Abeokuta on Wednesday, Didier Tchoffo, SEDEC Cluster Coordinator,  said the workshop would review achievements, document lessons and develop strategies for sustaining programme outcomes.

Mr Tchoffo, represented by Akinropo Omoware from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), said participants would assess progress since the 2025 workshop and identify ways to institutionalise successful interventions within government policies, systems and budgetary processes.

Mr Tchoffo listed key achievements to include the establishment of the Ogun State Job Centre, the Enterprise Development Agency, additional job centres and stronger support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

He added that reforms in technical and vocational education, employment promotion and business environments had improved competitiveness, export readiness and inclusive economic development across the state.

According to him, discussions will focus on institutional ownership, stronger partnerships and practical measures to sustain programme gains beyond the current implementation phase.

“Through collaboration between the Ogun state government, GIZ and other strategic partners, significant milestones have been recorded in strengthening the state’s economic development ecosystem.

“The sustainability of development interventions depends on strong institutions, committed partnerships and local ownerships,” he said.

In his remarks, Ogun Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Adebola Sofela, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to private sector-led industrialisation through stronger collaboration with development partners and the organised private sector.

Mr Sofela said deliberate policies had created a more enabling business environment, while partnerships with GIZ had advanced job creation, enterprise development, innovation and digital transformation in the state.

He said the state had strengthened sustainability through policy frameworks, legal backing, funding mechanisms and public sector reforms, while integrating development programmes into government institutions.

In his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Abayomi Arigbabu, said the GIZ partnership had strengthened technical and vocational education, improved skills development and enhanced graduates’ employability.

Represented by the Director of Education, Department of Science and Technology, Olutola Edun, the commissioner said the government was embedding education reforms into state policies to ensure long-term impact and expanded access statewide.

Mr Arigbabu commended the German government and GIZ for their continued support.

He expressed confidence that stronger partnerships would promote sustainable economic growth, quality education and industrial development in Ogun State. 

(NAN)