Buhari approves free trade status for Ekiti Knowledge Zone 

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the request of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo seeking a free zone status for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone.

The approval was conveyed via a letter titled, “RE: Recommendation For Approval and Designation of Free Trade Zone Status in Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) Situated on 208.949 Hectares of Land Located at Ado-Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State,” addressed to the Minister and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

The Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) on the orders of the Minister, forwarded a request for approval early this year. The Ekiti zone is expected to expand the knowledge base that will focus on entrepreneurial skills, including ICT, that would create jobs and increase the gross domestic product (GDP) across the board.

This was contained in a statement yesterday from the Special Assistant to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ifedayo Sayo.

The letter reads in part: “I refer to your letter Ref.No., FMITI/CED/4748/Vol1 dated 22 February, 2023 on the above subject. Kindly note that Mr. President has granted free zone status approval for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone located along Ado-Ijan road, Ekiti State on a parcel of land measuring approximately 208.949HA with coordinates 8042765.02m’N; 761’ 244.963m’ E, following Section 1 (1) of the NEPZA Act Cap. N107 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.”