Oyo Ranks Third In Ease Of Doing Business In Nigeria – Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the state ranks third in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, attributing the position to deliberate government policies and sustained investments in economic infrastructure.

Makinde disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the 2026 Oyo State International Trade Fair at the Permanent Trade Fair Complex, Samonda, Ibadan.

In a statement signed by Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Makinde urged stakeholders to sustain the achievement by taking advantage of available economic opportunities.

The fair, jointly organised by the Oyo State Government and the Oyo State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA), has the theme, “Trade Without Borders: Connecting Oyo Entrepreneurs to Africa’s Business Opportunities.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, the governor called for stronger collaboration between the government and chambers of commerce to ensure effective policy implementation and drive sustainable economic growth.

He said prosperity depended on the ability of stakeholders to identify and harness available opportunities, adding that the state’s seven geopolitical zones were interconnected and offered prospects for economic activities and expansion.

Makinde also said Oyo State remained the only subnational government in Nigeria registered as a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a development he said positioned the state to benefit from trade opportunities across the continent.

Speaking on the trade fair’s theme, the governor called for closer collaboration among OYCCIMA, the West African Chamber, the Pan-African Chamber and the World Chamber of Commerce.

He said the state government and OYCCIMA were mutually dependent and needed to work together to create value, generate employment and support entrepreneurs.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olajide Okesade, who represented the commissioner, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting economic growth through collaboration, value addition and locally made products, particularly those from the agricultural sector.

The National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, represented by Chief Kola Akosile, described the trade fair as an important platform for promoting enterprise development, showcasing Nigerian products and services, and strengthening investment and trade cooperation.

Ibrahim said the theme aligned with AfCFTA objectives, noting that the agreement provided access to a market of about 1.4 billion people with a combined gross domestic product of approximately $3.4 trillion.

He reaffirmed NACCIMA’s commitment to advocating policies that improve the business environment, support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and strengthen collaboration among government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and the private sector.

Earlier, OYCCIMA President, Mr Niran Adewoyin, said the 2026 trade fair was intended to move beyond conventional exhibitions to promote economic integration, market expansion, innovation and sustainable prosperity.

Adewoyin commended Makinde for providing an enabling environment for local industries and investors to expand their operations and contribute to the state’s economy. He also pledged the chamber’s continued commitment to bridging the gap between the government and the business community.

In separate goodwill messages, the President of the Ibadan Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Chief Emmanuel Ogunnaike, and the Babaloja-General of Oyo State, Alhaji Yekeen Abass, urged the government to protect farmers’ interests and take proactive steps to safeguard lives and property.

The event attracted exhibitors, traders, market leaders, government officials and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors.