Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has challenged political leaders and senior public servants to embrace strategic foresight in policymaking, warning that effective governance requires anticipating future challenges rather than focusing exclusively on immediate needs.
Abiodun, represented by the Head of Service, Olanrewaju Iskeel Saka, gave the charge at the opening of a three-day Capacity Development Programme on Foresighting for Strategic Leaders in Ogun State at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona School of Governance Studies (OSKASOGS), Ago-Iwoye.
The governor said strategic foresight would enable government officials to identify emerging trends, assess potential risks, explore future scenarios and incorporate long-term considerations into policy formulation, budgeting, planning and programme implementation.
According to him, the initiative aligns with his administration’s *Building Our Future Together* vision and its commitment to strengthening the public service for improved service delivery.
Abiodun noted that Ogun State’s expanding industrial base, strategic position along the Lagos-Ogun economic corridor and growing investment opportunities made forward planning essential to sustainable development.
He stressed that infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing and employment opportunities must keep pace with the state’s economic expansion.
The governor challenged participants to consider the skills young people would need to remain competitive, the infrastructure required to sustain industrial growth and the measures government must adopt to prevent emerging risks from developing into major challenges.
He commended the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, for supporting the initiative and the Director of OSKASOGS, Professor Sola Adeyanju, for hosting the programme.
Abiodun also appreciated NIPSS for providing the training at no cost to participants, urging them to apply the knowledge gained to improve decision-making and strengthen public institutions.
In his remarks, Saka emphasised the importance of continuous training in equipping public servants with the competencies needed to respond to emerging governance challenges.
He commended the immediate past Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, for pioneering the strategic leadership management course at the Awujale School of Governance Studies.
Saka said bringing political leaders and senior public servants together would encourage collaboration and promote a shared understanding of Ogun State’s development priorities.
He urged participants to translate the lessons from the programme into practical improvements in governance and public service delivery.
Onasanya, in a goodwill message, described Abiodun as an advocate of capacity building, noting that the programme had helped enrich participants’ knowledge, strengthen the civil service, promote teamwork and improve the implementation of government policies and programmes.
Similarly, Adeyanju commended the governor for providing policymakers and public servants with an opportunity to strengthen their strategic leadership skills.
He encouraged participants to deploy the knowledge acquired during the training towards advancing Ogun State’s growth and development.
The programme is designed to equip participants with techniques for identifying emerging trends, exploring alternative future scenarios, assessing risks and opportunities, and integrating long-term thinking into government policies and development plans.
Participants include the Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Debola Sofela; Commissioner for Cooperatives and Community Development, Ademola Balogun; Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade.
Others are the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Joshua Ifede, as well as permanent secretaries, directors and other senior officials from ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend on how effectively the participants translate strategic foresight into policies, projects and public services that respond to Ogun State’s evolving needs.
**The Press Nigeria
