By Bolu Adeosun To say that infrastructure is critical to social growth is to state the obvious. But it is still a fact that key infrastructure is either lacking or wholly inadequate in most of Nigeria’s 36 states. That is why it has been impossible to foster a really productive economy, one in which, for instance, the manufacturing sector enjoys great latitude and patronage. It is significant that not even the challenges lately posed to the finances of states by the Covid-19 pandemic can be overcome without building social infrastructure. Infrastructure does provide key mechanisms to generate wealth, and to off-set economic and other losses, but it does so much more in a democracy. When a government meets the critical needs of the populace, it affirms the raison d’etre of organized societies, acquires legitimacy for itself and, above all, strengthens belief in democracy and enhances pride, self-worth and happiness among the citizenry. It was not for nothing that the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, conceptualized governance as a means of actualizing “life more abundant” for the populace. In that regard, one cannot but acknowledge the strides of the Dapo Abiodun administration in Ogun State in the last two years.