Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has expressed the state’s readiness to partner with the United States in exploring investment opportunities across critical sectors including solid minerals, agribusiness, education, and energy.
The governor made the announcement on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the United States Consulate General, led by Kenise Hill, the Deputy Chief of the Political and Economic Section. The meeting took place at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, in Ibadan.
Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Governor Makinde emphasized that Oyo State has implemented policies supporting engagement in sectors such as solid minerals development, environmental sustainability, agribusiness, and energy. He highlighted the state’s vast untapped potential, particularly in its solid minerals sector, with nearly half of the landmass rich in diverse mineral deposits.
“We warmly welcome you to Oyo State and assure you that we possess vast potential that can be leveraged in mutually beneficial partnerships,” Lawal said. “Our Solid Minerals Development Agency, recently established, addresses challenges related to mineral exploitation, and we are ready to collaborate, whether through the private sector or directly with the U.S. government. The agency will provide accurate data and support for any investment initiatives.”
Lawal also emphasized Oyo State’s commitment to advancing agribusiness, a priority of the current administration. He invited the U.S. delegation to explore institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), which plays a significant role in agricultural research and innovation. He pointed out that the state’s agribusiness model recently attracted international attention, including a visit from the President of Sierra Leone, who spent a week studying Oyo’s agricultural strategies.
“We invite you to support us in enhancing food security and reducing poverty,” Lawal said, urging the U.S. government to collaborate with Oyo State in scaling up agricultural initiatives to meet the needs of the people.
In education, Lawal noted that the Makinde administration has allocated over 21% of the state’s annual budget to the sector since 2019. He highlighted the state’s investment in both conventional education and technological integration to align with global trends.
The deputy governor also addressed the importance of energy, emphasizing that reliable power is essential for industrial growth. “No industry can thrive without sufficient energy,” he stated. He mentioned that Oyo State is building an 11KVA hybrid power plant to alleviate energy challenges faced by public infrastructure and expressed readiness to collaborate with the U.S. in improving energy supply and other sectors.
In response, Kenise Hill, head of the U.S. delegation, acknowledged Oyo State’s potential for trade and investment. She reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to exploring new opportunities, particularly in solid minerals, infrastructure, and energy. Hill highlighted the U.S.’s willingness to provide grants, typically up to $2 million, to support infrastructure development in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
“We aim to connect U.S. industries with Nigerian public and private sector players,” Hill said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing mutual goals.
The delegation also included Mr. Josh Egba, Mr. Banksharon Nwaneri, and Mr. Kenechukwu Onyeke, who reiterated their mission to explore opportunities for infrastructure development in Oyo State.
The meeting was attended by key state officials, including Secretary to the State Government, Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni; Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Adeniyi Adebisi; and Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola.
