Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday received the management team of Access Bank Plc at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, as part of ongoing engagements to deepen economic partnerships and spotlight the far-reaching impact of the 2024 National Sports Festival hosted by the state.
Speaking during the meeting, Governor Abiodun described the festival, which attracted over 12,000 athletes and officials, as a major economic catalyst for the state. He noted that the influx of visitors had significantly boosted business activity across various sectors, particularly hospitality, retail, transportation, and the culturally symbolic Adire textile market.
“The festival has triggered an economic boom that spans hotel occupancy, local trade, food services, and a remarkable surge in the demand for our indigenous Adire fabrics. This was a deliberate move to position Ogun as more than just Nigeria’s industrial hub, we are also a prime destination for tourism, culture, and hospitality,” the governor said.
He added that the successful hosting of the event, which has been widely praised as one of the best-organised editions in the history of the National Sports Festival, underscores the state’s capacity for excellence in large-scale event management.
Governor Abiodun used the occasion to call for strengthened collaboration between the state government and Access Bank, especially in empowering Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) involved in heritage-based industries like Adire production. He emphasized that financial institutions have a pivotal role to play in supporting culturally driven entrepreneurship that fuels inclusive economic development.
“We believe that with the support of institutions like Access Bank, we can scale up our SME sector and create sustainable livelihoods rooted in the identity of our people,” he said.
The Access Bank delegation, led by senior executives, commended the state’s foresight in leveraging sports for economic stimulation and pledged continued partnership in driving investment, innovation, and inclusive growth across Ogun State.
The visit marks a step forward in public-private synergy aimed at accelerating grassroots development, supporting local industries, and amplifying the economic legacy of the National Sports Festival in the Gateway State.
