Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed the state’s readiness to partner with the United States in exploring investment opportunities in solid minerals development, agribusiness, education, energy, and other critical sectors.
The governor made this known on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan by a delegation from the United States Consulate General.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Chief, Political and Economic Section, Kenise Hill, at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Represented by Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Governor Makinde noted that the state had implemented policies that support engagement in solid minerals, environmental sustainability, agribusiness, and energy development.
“I warmly welcome you to Oyo State and assure you that we possess vast potential that can be leveraged in mutually beneficial partnerships,” the deputy governor said.
“Our Solid Minerals Development Agency was recently established in response to the challenges surrounding mineral exploitation in the state. Nearly half of Oyo’s landmass contains diverse solid mineral deposits that can be harnessed in collaboration with the U.S. government.
“You may choose to engage the private sector or work directly with us—either way, the agency will provide you with accurate data and support.
“Environmental initiatives are another area open to collaboration, as well as agribusiness, which this administration places high priority on. We believe it is essential that we can feed our people.
“We invite you to visit some of our agricultural institutions, such as IITA, which plays a crucial role in agricultural research and innovation. What we need now is financial backing to further scale the initiatives we have undertaken.”
He further disclosed that the state’s agribusiness model recently attracted the attention of the President of Sierra Leone, who spent nearly a week in Oyo State to understudy its agricultural strategies.
“The U.S. government can seize this opportunity to support and collaborate with us in enhancing food security and reducing poverty. Food is a global necessity, and we are committed to meeting our people’s needs with the right support and engagement.”
On the issue of energy, Lawal highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to improve power supply, stressing the importance of reliable energy for industrial growth.
“No industry can thrive without sufficient energy. Many companies established in the 1980s are exiting Nigeria due to power challenges. To address this, Oyo State is constructing an 11KVA hybrid power plant to reduce the energy burden on public infrastructure.
“We are ready to collaborate with the U.S. in the energy sector and other areas you find relevant to our mutual goals.”
In her remarks, delegation leader Kenise Hill acknowledged the vast potential of Oyo State in trade and investment.
She affirmed the U.S. government’s willingness to explore new opportunities in solid minerals, infrastructure, and beyond.
“Our aim is to connect U.S. industries with Nigerian public and private sector players,” Hill stated.
“We also support infrastructure development through grants—typically up to $2m—that can be used in Oyo State and Nigeria at large. We look forward to working with more stakeholders and identifying opportunities, particularly in the solid minerals sector.”
Other members of the U.S. delegation were Josh Egba, Banksharon Nwaneri, and Kenechukwu Onyeke—who reiterated their mission to explore opportunities that could facilitate infrastructure development in the state.
Present at 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.
