Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has issued a compelling call to global investors, urging them to capitalize on the vast opportunities available within the revitalized Osun Free Trade Zone (FTZ). The Governor made this appeal while hosting a high-powered, multi-sectoral delegation of investors from China, marking another significant milestone in his administration’s robust economic diplomacy drive.
The delegation, which included representatives from Shanghai Fadewei International Trade Company Limited, paid a courtesy visit to the Government House in Osogbo, signaling a major endorsement of the state’s investment climate. Governor Adeleke assured the visitors of his government’s unwavering support, emphasizing that Osun is committed to providing a conducive and highly competitive business environment.
Addressing the infrastructural challenges that often deter investors, the Governor highlighted his administration’s aggressive efforts to bridge the state’s infrastructural deficit. “We are fixing our roads, bridges, schools, utilities, and health infrastructure,” Governor Adeleke stated. “We know that good infrastructure facilitates economic growth, and we are strategically reducing Osun’s infra deficit to enhance business ease.”
Beyond physical infrastructure, the state has institutionalized significant policy reforms. These include harmonizing and automating the tax regime to reduce the pressure on businesses, and implementing an automated, rapid 48-hour acquisition process for Certificates of Occupancy (CofO). These policies have contributed to Osun’s high ratings in national ease-of-doing-business indices. The state government has also established an investment portal, serving as a one-stop digital gateway to streamline processes and connect investors with resources.
Speaking on behalf of the Chinese team, Dr. Yusuf Fadairo, representing Shanghai Fadewei, revealed two unique factors that influenced their choice of Osun State. He cited the overwhelming popularity of Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke (Davido), the Governor’s nephew, in China as a major catalyst. Secondly, Dr. Fadairo pointed to multiple positive media reports confirming the Osun Governor’s commitment to good governance and performance, which positioned the state as a safe and desirable investment destination. The company assured the Governor of its intention to establish multiple factories within the Free Trade Zone, following a satisfactory inspection of the utilities and facilities.
The visiting delegation demonstrated interest across several key manufacturing and service sectors, with specific members focused on paint production (Mr. Zhai Yikang and Mr. Yu Lu), electric tricycle assembly (Mr. Yao Weide), and amusement park development (Mr. Zheng Lifa).
This latest engagement with Asian investors is part of a broader success story for the Adeleke administration. The state recently announced that a Turkish furniture company had commenced production, and secured over $100 million in deals with UK investors spanning agriculture, tourism, and FTZ revitalization. With the ambitious goal of generating over one million direct and indirect jobs through the revived Free Trade Zone, Osun State is rapidly positioning itself as the new industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria’s South West region.
