Oyo State
From The Report: Nigeria 2013
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Known as the “pace setter state”, Oyo borders the states of Ogun, Osun and Kwara, as well as Benin in south-west Nigeria. Oyo’s natural resources are most suited to agriculture production and processing with an abundance of uncultivated arable land and reserves of gold, marble, clay and granite, among others. While economic indicators compare favourably to other states, the government is working to strengthen output in the secondary and tertiary sectors, as well as attract new investments. Businesses in the state face challenges posed by infrastructure bottlenecks, but new policies, developed in conjunction with federal programmes, are helping to incentivise investment by strengthening Oyo’s competitive advantages.

This chapter contains an interview with Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Opening doors to investment: The state is set to serve new investors as it streamlines procedures and improves infrastructure
OBG
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Known as the “pace setter state”, Oyo is in south-west Nigeria and borders the states of Ogun, Osun and Kwara, as well as Benin. With an extensive interstate road network and the ability to capitalise on high volumes of cross-border activity, the state benefits from a strategic location, enabling companies to receive shipments from the ports of Lagos, reach markets in the country’s northern and eastern regions, or supply customers in Benin and beyond. Businesses in the state still face…

Interview

OBG talks to Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State
OBG
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Interview:Abiola Ajimobi What sort of tangible measures is Oyo State taking to increase foreign direct investment? ABIOLA AJIMOBI: The Oyo State government has developed enduring strategic alliances with local and international partners. The first step to securing cooperation and private sector investment was implementing improved safety and security measures, such as Operation Burst, a Joint Security Task Force initiative that has resulted in reduced crime and which saw improved capacity…

Analysis

Untapped potential: Despite many difficulties, the opportunities in agriculture are numerous
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Given that the country’s exports are dominated by hydrocarbons, Nigeria’s agricultural sector provides an estimated 60% of jobs across the nation – a dynamic that is mirrored in many of the states, and Oyo is no exception. Agriculture is currently the main contributor to Oyo State’s economy, comprising 38% of gross state product (GSP) and directly or indirectly employing as much as 70% of the workforce. Oyo State is the 12th-largest crop producer and the 15th-largest livestock producer…

Analysis

Feeding growth: The large agricultural sector provides much potential
OBG
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Given the state’s sizable agricultural output, agro-industrial processing is a large part of Oyo’s industrial activity, with a number of facilities focused on segments like fruit juice production or flour milling – although several other manufacturers are present in the area as well, such as pharmaceuticals. As elsewhere in Nigeria, secondary production is fairly limited, hampered by infrastructural constraints, most notably an intermittent electricity supply that requires independent…

Analysis

Building up resources: Investment in health infrastructure bodes well for the state’s future
OBG
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Improving human development indicators, including health provision, is a key priority for both federal and state governments, and Oyo State is no exception. The government is investing in social services, which commanded 29% of the 2013 state budget, with health receiving allocations of N3.85bn ($24.25m). However, to meet Millennium Development Goals and address total demand, a sizeable increase in private sector investment will also be required. The provision of health care in Nigeria is…