…says his administration unlocking prosperity, saving for tomorrow
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says his government is laying the groundwork for a future where the state can stand on its own feet in terms of prosperous, productive, and global connection.
Speaking at a post-engagement meeting on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, held at the Local Government Service Commission Training School, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor revealed that Oyo State has saved about six million US dollars in its Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Makinde explained that the fund, established a few months ago, reflects his administration’s resolve not only to rebuild the present but to also secure the future.
“Our administration is not just rebuilding infrastructure and implementing policies that improve people’s lives today,” he said. “We are also saving for tomorrow. We want to be remembered for building institutions that will guarantee good governance and sustainable development long after we’re gone.”
The governor spoke with quiet confidence about Oyo’s growing economic potential under the AfCFTA framework. According to him, the state’s decision to adopt its own sub-national AfCFTA strategy stems from its large population, expanding infrastructure network, and untapped trade opportunities.
He noted that the agreement would open up vast markets, create jobs, and boost entrepreneurship within and beyond the state.
“Natural resources alone will not take anyone out of poverty. You need knowledge and productivity, and you must have access to markets to earn foreign exchange. Oyo State is well on that path,” he said.
Makinde listed several ongoing projects that align with his long-term vision, including the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport to international standards. The airport, he said, can now handle wide-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus A330—an important step toward making Ibadan a regional trade hub.
“People commend us for fixing roads, building schools, employing teachers and health workers, or reinstating those unfairly dismissed from service. Those are good things, but they should come naturally in governance. What truly matters to me is that we are building systems, institutions that will keep Oyo running efficiently for generations.”
Makinde also highlighted Oyo’s competitive advantages, its strategic location, youthful population, and growing industrial base, as key assets under the AfCFTA framework. He said his administration is positioning the state to trade actively within West and Central Africa, leveraging the infrastructure it has already put in place.
“We have done the hard work,” he said. “Our vision for sustainable development is on course. As the first sub-national in Africa to implement the AfCFTA strategy, Oyo State is setting the pace for others to follow.”
Earlier, the governor’s Special Adviser on AfCFTA and International Trade, Ms. Neo Theodore Tlhaselo, commended Makinde for his foresight, noting that Oyo’s leadership on the AfCFTA platform has already started attracting international attention.
She explained that the implementation strategy serves as a legal instrument that empowers Oyo State to enter trade and investment partnerships globally, opening access to new markets and strengthening bilateral relations across Africa.
The meeting was attended by top government officials, including the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi Bibire; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor, Chief Bayo Lawal; and Director-General of the Oyo State Public Private Partnership Agency, Hon. Tilewa Folami.
With his characteristic mix of pragmatism and optimism, Governor Makinde closed his expressed optimism saying: “We are not waiting for anyone. We are taking our destiny in our hands. Oyo State will not only participate in Africa’s future, we intend to help define it.”