Politics

From Allocation to Innovation: K-RAD’s Roadmap to a Self-Sustaining Osun

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on October 12th, 2025.

In contrast, small but strategic nations like Denmark, with a population of just six million people, have built strong economies on the back of planning, productivity, and good governance. Denmark’s tax-to-GDP ratio is around 48%, and it earned over $200 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, no Nigerian state collects up to 1% of its GDP in taxes.

This striking contrast underscores what Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-RAD) a leading aspirant in the 2026 Osun governorship race has consistently argued: Nigeria’s states must begin to think and act like productive nations, not dependent provinces.

K-RAD’s policy framework is built on wealth creation, institutional reform, and economic diversification, with the goal of making Osun one of the most productive and self-sustaining subnational economies in Nigeria.

Agriculture: Turning Fertile Land into Wealth

K-RAD’s agricultural blueprint draws inspiration from the Danish model of agro-industrial productivity. His plan is to transform Osun’s fertile land into an agro-industrial powerhouse by:

Introducing land aggregation and mechanized farming, allowing for large-scale, technology-driven agriculture.

Establishing agro-processing zones where crops like cocoa, cassava, and fruits are processed into finished goods within the state.

Promoting rural wealth creation programs, providing credit facilities and market access to youth and cooperatives.

Developing export-oriented agriculture to connect Osun products to regional and international markets.

With these initiatives, Osun can significantly raise its agricultural output, create jobs, and double its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in just a few years.

Reforming Revenue and Tax Administration

A sustainable economy depends on an efficient tax and revenue system. K-RAD plans to modernize Osun’s tax administration through digitalization, fairness, and transparency not by imposing multiple taxes.

His administration will introduce:

A central digital tax portal to simplify payments and eliminate leakages.

A tax-for-service model where citizens see visible returns better roads, power, and public services for the taxes they pay.

The goal is to grow Osun’s tax-to-GDP ratio from below 1% to at least 5% within five years, without burdening ordinary citizens.

Industrial Policy and Job Creation

To drive sustainable growth, K-RAD proposes a comprehensive industrial roadmap that builds industries around Osun’s existing strengths:

Light manufacturing in furniture, ceramics, textiles, and food processing.

Establishment of industrial parks and clusters through public-private partnerships.

Integration into global value chains, attracting investors who can position Osun as a regional export hub.

This approach would ensure that Osun’s economy grows beyond public sector spending, generating employment and stimulating the private sector.

Tourism and the Creative Economy

Osun is globally recognized for its rich cultural heritage—home to the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, Erin-Ijesa Waterfalls, and other attractions. K-RAD plans to turn this heritage into an economic engine through:

Strategic investment in tourism infrastructure—roads, resorts, digital marketing, and hospitality training.

Creative industry support, fostering film, fashion, and cultural festivals that boost youth employment.

Stronger revenue linkages between tourism activities and state earnings.

Institutional and Governance Reforms

Unlike many leaders who focus only on physical projects, K-RAD’s governance model prioritizes institutional strength. He intends to:

Reform the civil service to emphasize merit, professionalism, and results.

Enact a 10-year Osun Development Plan, ensuring continuity beyond political cycles.

Promote open governance, publishing quarterly budget scorecards and involving citizens in policy tracking.

These steps would institutionalize accountability and make government performance measurable.

Youth, Technology, and Innovation

K-RAD’s vision recognizes that the future of Osun lies in its youth. His “Osun Tech for Growth” initiative aims to create a dynamic innovation ecosystem by:

Establishing tech hubs in major towns.

Providing support for startups in agriculture, fintech, and renewable energy.

Creating digital work opportunities through partnerships with global platforms.

By empowering young people to innovate, Osun can move from a consumption economy to a creative, knowledge-driven one.

The Big Picture: A Self-Sustaining Osun

K-RAD’s overarching vision is to transition Osun from a FAAC-dependent state to a self-reliant economy that thrives on productivity, innovation, and institutional integrity.

Just as Denmark transformed through planning, discipline, and innovation, K-RAD believes Osun can replicate that success anchored on a strong agricultural base, industrial growth, and accountable governance.

In his words:

Our mission is to make Osun a productive, innovative, and globally competitive economy built on the strength of its people, not the size of its allocation.”

If implemented faithfully, K-RAD’s policies could redefine Osun’s economic trajectory, making it a model of subnational prosperity in Nigeria.

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Conclusion

Osun does not lack potential; it only lacks a deliberate plan to turn potential into prosperity.

K-RAD offers that plan—a roadmap to rebuild the economy, reform governance, and restore the dignity of hard work and innovation.

If Osun begins to think like a country and act like a business, it can, within a decade, join the ranks of the most productive regions in Africa.