Oyo remains investment hub of choice, says Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, yesterday, said the state had become a prime investment destination in Nigeria.

Makinde, who spoke at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) conversation with Africa Forum, held in Gaborone, Botswana, represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, said the state would take full advantage of the AFCFTA.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, stated that the governor listed renewable energy, agriculture and agribusiness, real estate, tourism, mining and education sectors as areas with key investment opportunities in the state.

The statement added that Makinde also mentioned the Ibadan Dry Port, ancillary aviation facilities at the Ibadan Airport, Ilutuntun Business District, road and transport infrastructure, targeted at economic development, as some of the key investment opportunities in the state.

He also highlighted the key investment opportunities in the energy sector to include independent power projects, the potential 450 megawatts capacity Ikere Gorge Dam, other dams, waste to energy/refuse-derived fuels as well as wind and solar power farms.

According to him, Oyo State has a comparative advantage across all the areas of investment with ongoing massive infrastructure development targeted at economic growth, including the ongoing upgrade of Ibadan Airport, the Federal Government-constructed Lagos-Ibadan railway line, which connects Lagos to the Inland Dry Port, Ibadan.

He said that the availability of over 2.7 million hectares of arable land for backward integration and out-grower schemes, among others, placed Oyo State at a position of advantage for investments in agriculture.

The governor, who equally called for investments in the state’s real estate, tourism and hospitality, mining and education sectors, said there were various government incentives and support for all categories of investments, including public-private partnership agreements.

The state’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Dahud Kehinde Sangodoyin, who also spoke at the forum, further highlighted what he called the huge opportunities open to investors in the state in the infrastructure sector.