Governor Dapo Abiodun has disclosed that his administration would be reviving the erstwhile drum festival by hosting the first Afro Beat Drum festival in Africa in Ogun State, as a way of ensuring and promoting cultural values.
The governor stated this while presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly tagged: Budget of Sustainable Legacy, at the Assembly Chambers, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta on Wednesday.
DAILY POST reports that the governor had presented a budget estimate of N1.669 trillion for the year 2026, comprising of ₦624.76bn for recurrent expenditure and ₦1.044trn for capital expenditure.
According to him, the Budget of sustainable legacy, is meant to consolidate on all the projects the administration had executed in the last six years of its administration, while revealing further that major Cultural and Economic Initiatives have been planned for 2026, which include the Gateway Festival and the first-ever Afrobeat Drum Festival.
The proposed Afrobeat and Drum Festival is expected to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, engage the youth, attract tourists and support local enterprises with the ultimate aim of bringing to the spotlight, the nation’s rich cultural heritage, while engaging the youths as well as projecting the State as a cultural and Tourism hub.
“The 2026 Gateway Afrobeat Drum Festival will serve as a grand celebration of Ogun State’s rich cultural heritage, engaging our youth, attracting visitors, supporting local enterprises, creating jobs, and stimulating investment.
“This festival further strengthens our State’s position as a leading hub for African rhythm, creativity, and cultural innovation.”
Also, during the presentation, the Governor promised additional 3,000 housing units across the State, aimed to complement the existing units, saying that the construction of Ibara GRA Phase 11 would commence and it would be replicated to other GRAs in the State.
“This administration would ensure additional 3,000 units of affordable housing across the State with infrastructure, site and service scheme. The construction of Ibara GRA Phase II will commence and it will be replicate to other GRAs in Ogun State.”
Abiodun asserted that his administration will continue to invest in housing to meet the rising demand for affordable, quality homes, just as he assured residents of the state that all ongoing projects would be completed before the end of his administration.