By Oyo Amebo
To Dr Debo Akande, Executive Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on International Cooperation and Development and pioneer Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Governor Seyi Makinde’s recent engagement in China was not a routine diplomatic trip, it was a deliberate statement of intent, a purposeful stride toward transforming Oyo State into a global investment destination.
Dr Akande, an accomplished agribusiness strategist and development policy expert, described the Governor’s China mission as a masterstroke in strategic leadership, one that places Oyo at the intersection of vision and opportunity.
He commended Governor Makinde’s unwavering determination to attract meaningful investments across critical sectors such as agribusiness, education, healthcare, technology, and environmental sustainability, noting that such efforts reflect a leader thinking beyond immediate political horizons.
Governor Makinde’s working visit to China featured a series of high-level meetings with international investors and development partners, including ASPAC Technics (Water and Environment), Chambre Ivoirienne de Commerce et de l’Industrie de Belgique et Union Européenne (CICIBE), Ivens Construction Company NV (Construction and Safe Storage of Liquids), Ecoplast Europe Ltd (Recycling), EU–Nigeria Agribusiness Platform, Festival International du Film de Bruxelles (FIFB), GEOxyz (Drone Technology), MedicCleanAir (Healthcare), Purchasers International S.A., Terya Group BV (Environmental Projects), APT International, and HMD Group (Heavy Machinery and Construction).
According to Dr Akande, these discussions reaffirmed Makinde’s pragmatic approach to economic diplomacy, one that blends technical collaboration, cultural exchange, and investment confidence.
He explained that the Governor’s engagement with these global stakeholders underscores his clear intention to make Oyo a model of subnational growth driven by innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Highlighting one of the key outcomes of the visit, Dr Akande said that the partnership with the EU–Nigeria Agribusiness Platform marks a defining moment in Oyo’s agricultural transformation journey.
The collaboration, he explained, is designed to raise standards, strengthen traceability, and boost the export potential of both raw and processed agricultural products.
Beyond trade, the initiative aims to build the capacity of local agribusiness enterprises, integrate them into European markets, and promote long-term prosperity through skill transfer and value addition.
Reflecting on the Governor’s leadership, Dr Akande recalled that Makinde’s first term, widely referred to as Omituntun 1.0, dismantled long-standing scepticism through purposeful governance and measurable results.
“From the very beginning, I was certain that Oyo State made the right decision in electing Engineer Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde in 2019.
His re-election in 2023, ushering in Omituntun 2.0, is a resounding endorsement of his forward-thinking vision and credible leadership.”
Dr Akande expressed optimism that the partnerships sealed in China will accelerate Oyo’s journey from promise to prosperity, perfectly aligning with Governor Makinde’s Sustainable Development Goals framework.
“The Governor means business. He has remained steadfast in his mission to enhance the welfare of the people while positioning Oyo State for global relevance through investment, innovation, and inclusive growth.”
A native of Ibadan, Dr Akande stands among the brightest technocrats driving Oyo’s development renaissance.
Intelligent, visionary, and globally connected, he continues to play an essential role in bridging the gap between local potential and international opportunity, embodying the very spirit of the new Oyo that Governor Makinde envisions: confident, competitive, and ready for the world.
