Governor Seyi Makinde has assured potential investors of long-term political stability in Oyo State, pledging to secure investor confidence with policies that could remain intact for up to 30 years.
The governor made this commitment while hosting Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in Ibadan, the state capital.
“I know that political risk is something most investors don’t want to deal with,” Makinde said. “While I am here, I believe we have the opportunity to lock things up for the next 25 to 30 years and back it up by law.”
He stressed that both the executive and legislative arms of government in the state are aligned in their vision for development, creating a conducive environment for investments to thrive.
Highlighting Oyo’s strategic position, the governor said the state’s central location within Nigeria and proximity to the Republic of Benin offers immense advantages for regional trade. “We have access to the West African sub-region in terms of developing the market,” he noted.
Makinde also revealed bold plans to transform the Ibadan airport into a world-class facility, citing the need to reduce over-dependence on foreign air hubs like Addis Ababa, Nairobi, and Kigali.
“Oyo State is bigger than Rwanda, but Rwanda has an airline that flies everywhere,” he observed. “We believe if we develop a Kigali-type airport here, we can attract travelers looking to save time and money on connecting flights.”
He announced that the airside of the upgraded airport will be ready by September, with the terminal scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2026.
