Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has attributed the state’s reported third-place position in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking to government policies and investments in economic infrastructure.
Makinde spoke on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 Oyo State International Trade Fair in Ibadan, where he called on businesses, investors and other stakeholders to build on the state’s position to expand economic activities and create jobs.
In a statement signed by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Makinde said sustained cooperation between the government and the business community was essential to achieving lasting economic growth.
The trade fair, held at the Permanent Trade Fair Complex in Samonda, Ibadan, is jointly organised by the Oyo State Government and the Oyo State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA).
It is themed “Trade Without Borders: Connecting Oyo Entrepreneurs to Africa’s Business Opportunities.”
Represented by the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, the governor stressed the need for closer ties between the government and chambers of commerce to translate policies into tangible economic benefits.
He said Oyo’s seven geopolitical zones were interconnected, providing opportunities for trade, business expansion and investment across the state.
Makinde also highlighted Oyo State’s membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), describing it as an opportunity for local businesses to access wider African markets.
He said collaboration among OYCCIMA, the West African Chamber, the Pan-African Chamber and the World Chamber of Commerce would help businesses take advantage of international trade opportunities.
The governor added that the state government and OYCCIMA had complementary roles in promoting entrepreneurship, generating employment and creating economic value.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Mr Olajide Okesade, who represented the commissioner, said the government remained committed to economic growth through partnerships, value addition and the promotion of locally produced goods, particularly agricultural products.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, represented by Chief Kola Akosile, described the trade fair as an avenue to showcase Nigerian products, promote enterprise development and strengthen trade and investment partnerships.
Ibrahim said AfCFTA offered access to a continental market of approximately 1.4 billion people, with a combined gross domestic product of about $3.4 trillion.
He called for policies that would improve the business environment, support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and encourage cooperation among government institutions, financial organisations, development partners and private businesses.
OYCCIMA President, Mr Niran Adewoyin, said the fair was designed to promote more than product exhibitions, with a focus on market expansion, innovation, economic integration and sustainable prosperity.
He commended the Makinde administration for creating what he described as an enabling environment for local industries and investors to grow, while reaffirming the chamber’s commitment to connecting government with the business community.
In their goodwill messages, the President of the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Emmanuel Ogunnaike, and the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, urged the government to protect farmers and strengthen measures to safeguard lives and property.
The event brought together exhibitors, traders, market leaders, government officials and other public- and private-sector stakeholders.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
