Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has indicated the state’s willingness to collaborate with the United States in identifying investment opportunities in sectors such as solid minerals development, agribusiness, education, energy, and other vital areas.
This announcement was made on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan by a delegation from the United States Consulate General, led by Kenise Hill, the Deputy Chief of the Political and Economic Section.
Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Governor Makinde emphasized that the state has enacted policies that facilitate engagement in solid minerals, promote environmental sustainability, and advance agribusiness and energy development.
“I extend a warm welcome to you in Oyo State and assure you that we have significant potential for mutually beneficial partnerships,” stated the deputy governor. “Our newly established Solid Minerals Development Agency was created to address the challenges associated with mineral exploitation in the state. Almost half of Oyo’s land area is rich in various solid mineral deposits that can be developed in partnership with the U.S. government.
“You can choose to collaborate with the private sector or work directly with us; in either case, the agency will provide you with reliable data and assistance.
“Environmental initiatives also present opportunities for collaboration, as does agribusiness, which is a top priority for this administration. We believe it is crucial to ensure food security for our population.
“We invite you to visit some of our agricultural institutions, such as IITA, which is pivotal in agricultural research and innovation. What we require now is financial support to expand the initiatives we have launched.” He also mentioned that the state’s agribusiness model recently garnered interest from the President of Sierra Leone, who spent nearly a week in Oyo State to learn about its agricultural strategies.
The U.S. government has a significant opportunity to partner with us in bolstering food security and alleviating poverty. Food is an essential global resource, and we are dedicated to fulfilling the needs of our population with appropriate support and collaboration.
Regarding energy, Lawal emphasized the state’s continuous initiatives to enhance power supply, underscoring the critical role of dependable energy in fostering industrial development.
“Without adequate energy, no industry can prosper. Numerous companies that were established in the 1980s are leaving Nigeria due to power supply issues. To tackle this, Oyo State is in the process of building an 11KVA hybrid power plant to alleviate the energy strain on public infrastructure.
“We are eager to partner with the U.S. in the energy sector and other areas that align with our shared objectives.”
In her address, delegation leader Kenise Hill recognized the immense potential of Oyo State for trade and investment.
She expressed the U.S. government’s readiness to pursue new opportunities in solid minerals, infrastructure, and other sectors.
“Our goal is to link U.S. industries with stakeholders in Nigeria’s public and private sectors,” Hill remarked.
“We also facilitate infrastructure development through grants—generally up to $2 million—that can be utilized in Oyo State and across Nigeria. We anticipate collaborating with more stakeholders and identifying opportunities, especially in the solid minerals sector.”
Other members of the U.S. delegation included Josh Egba, Banksharon Nwaneri, and Kenechukwu Onyeke, who reiterated their commitment to exploring avenues that could promote infrastructure development in the state.
Attending the meeting were Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni; Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Adeniyi Adebisi; and Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola.
