Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unlocking prosperity, creating jobs, and boosting trade through the successful launch of the Oyo State African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Sub-National Implementation Strategy.
Governor Makinde stated that the initiative aligns with his government’s broader vision for sustainable development and economic expansion, noting that Oyo State’s participation in the AfCFTA would generate massive employment opportunities, empower entrepreneurs, and significantly increase trade volumes.
Speaking during a post-engagement meeting on AfCFTA implementation held at the Local Government Service Commission Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor said his administration was determined to build institutions and structures that would guarantee Oyo State’s long-term prosperity.
‘We want to be remembered not just for roads, infrastructure, or airport upgrades, but for building strong institutions that will ensure good governance and sustainable development long after our tenure,’ Makinde declared.
The governor explained that Oyo State’s strong infrastructure base and growing population gave the government the confidence to pursue the AfCFTA opportunity, adding that knowledge and productivity, when combined with natural resources, were essential ingredients for prosperity.
Makinde further disclosed that his administration had saved about six million US dollars in a Sovereign Wealth Fund created to secure the state’s economic future.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure projects such as the upgrading of the Ibadan Airport to international standards and the implementation of key economic policies, the governor noted that Oyo State’s vision for sustainable growth was steadily being realised.
He commended the AfCFTA Technical Working Group, led by his Special Adviser on AfCFTA and International Trade, Ms. Neo Theodore Tlhaselo, for its dedication and professionalism, assuring them that their efforts would not go unrewarded.
‘We’ve rebuilt roads across the state, employed thousands of teachers and health workers, and improved facilities in schools and hospitals. But our greatest legacy will be the institutions we’re establishing to sustain progress beyond this administration,’ Makinde added.
The governor also underscored Oyo State’s determination to take full advantage of its inclusion in the AfCFTA, noting that the state would not wait for the Federal Government to drive implementation.
‘We’ve seen how Nigeria missed out on opportunities like the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). With AfCFTA, sub-nationals can chart their own course. Oyo State has seized that opportunity to take its destiny into its own hands,’ he said.
Makinde identified several sectors where Oyo State holds competitive advantages, explaining that the AfCFTA framework would help the state expand trade relations, particularly with neighbouring West and Central African countries.
‘If our youths can find gainful employment and we can earn foreign exchange from our productivity, we will move our people from poverty to prosperity,’ he affirmed.
The governor also highlighted recent achievements at the Ibadan Airport, noting that a wide-bodied A330 aircraft – the same model used by Virgin Atlantic on its Lagos-London route, recently landed there, proving the facility’s readiness for international operations.
In her remarks, Tlhaselo lauded Governor Makinde’s visionary leadership, describing Oyo State as the first sub-national entity in Africa to sign on to the AfCFTA. She explained that the post-launch engagement was part of the statutory administrative process that officially enables Oyo State to trade and collaborate under the AfCFTA framework.
‘This implementation strategy provides Oyo State with the legal foundation to engage in international trade and bilateral agreements, positioning the state as a credible partner for global investment and African economic cooperation,’ she said.