Oyo Ranks Third in Ease of Doing Business, Makinde Declares
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said the state ranks third in Nigeria’s ease of doing business
ranking, crediting the achievement to deliberate policies and sustained investments in economic
infrastructure.
Makinde made the disclosure on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Oyo State International
Trade Fair, held at the Permanent Trade Fair Complex in Samonda, Ibadan.
The event, themed “Trade Without Borders: Connecting Oyo Entrepreneurs to Africa’s Business
Opportunities,” was jointly organised by the Oyo State Government and the Oyo State Chamber of
Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
“In Nigeria today, Oyo State is third in ease of doing business in Nigeria. We have done some things to
give our state the economic and infrastructural development it deserves,” the governor said.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Makinde urged
stakeholders to take deliberate steps to sustain and build on the ranking.
He noted that prosperity could only be achieved when available opportunities were effectively
harnessed.
The governor highlighted the interconnectedness of the state’s seven geopolitical zones, which he said
creates opportunities for economic activities and expansion.
He also pointed out that Oyo remains the only sub-national government in Nigeria registered as a
member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a position he said better positions the
state to harness continental trade opportunities.
Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof.
Salihu Adelabu, Makinde called for stronger collaboration between the government and chambers of
commerce to ensure effective policy implementation and drive sustainable economic growth.
The ranking referenced by the governor aligns with the 2025 Subnational Ease of Doing Business Report
by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in which Oyo placed third nationally
with a score of 62.7 per cent, behind Lagos (85.6 per cent) and Kaduna (65.1 per cent).
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
