In a major milestone for Oyo State’s economic transformation, the international development cooperation of oyo state is yielding greater result with Oyo as number four (4) on FDI in Nigeria Q1 2025 and the Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Debo Akande, has emerged as the brain behind a remarkable 90% of the $7.81 million foreign investment attracted by the state in the first quarter of 2025.
According to the latest data released by TheCableIndex, only six Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) secured foreign direct investment (FDI) in Q1 2025, with Oyo ranking fourth on the national chart, trailing behind only the FCT ($3.05bn), Lagos ($2.56bn), and Ogun State ($7.95m). In a tightly competitive environment, Oyo’s inflow of $7.81 million stands as a bold testament to the state’s growing investor confidence, fueled largely by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s aggressive investment in agribusiness and industrial infrastructure.
Behind this exceptional leap is Dr. Debo Akande, whose stewardship of the OYSADA and lead coordination of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project have turned Oyo into a beacon for agriculture-based foreign investment. From project concept to groundbreaking execution, his vision has attracted both institutional and private investors seeking value in Africa’s evolving food security frontier.
According to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB President, SAPZ Project National DG and Dr. Yusuf Kabir, National Director SAPZ underscores the unending efforts, distinguished energy and distinctive activeness of Dr. Debo on the realization of the groundbreaking SAPZ in Atan Ijaiye Village Akinyele Local Govt of Oyo State Nigeria.
This achievement is even more significant when viewed against the national backdrop—where the entire foreign investment inflow in Q1 2025 totaled $5.63 billion. With Oyo claiming $7.81 million of that sum, the state has positioned itself among Nigeria’s top emerging investment destinations outside of the traditional finance and oil hubs.
Breakdown of Q1 2025 Foreign Investments by State:
FCT: $3.05 billion
Lagos: $2.56 billion
Ogun: $7.95 million
Oyo: $7.81 million
Kaduna: $4.06 million
Kano: $117,000
Ekiti: $4,250
For Oyo State, this is more than just a number; it is a validation of strategy, leadership, and the result of targeted reforms under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration. The ongoing SAPZ development, cluster-based farm settlements, rural road access programs, and agritech adoption are changing the narrative of investment in non-oil sectors.
As the second quarter progresses, stakeholders are optimistic that with continued focus and leadership, Oyo’s agribusiness-driven investment records will not only increase but serve as a template for sustainable development across sub national entities in Nigeria.
Oyo is not just growing crops, but cultivating confidence on the note of transformational leadership of the peoples Governor, His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE Dsc. GSSRS.
And at the heart of it is Dr. Debo Akande, proving that vision, strategy, and execution still win in the world of development.
Yours In Service,
Egalitarian Dig. Com.
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