Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said his administration’s vision of unlocking prosperity, creating jobs, and boosting trade is firmly on track with the launch of the Oyo State African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) sub-national implementation strategy.

Speaking at a post-engagement meeting on the AfCFTA implementation held at the Local Government Service Commission Training School, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde said the initiative would strengthen his administration’s sustainable development agenda and position the state as a major player in intra-African trade.

He explained that Oyo State’s participation in AfCFTA was driven by its large population, growing economy, and massive investments in infrastructure, noting that the agreement would create employment opportunities, boost entrepreneurship, and expand the state’s trade volume.

Makinde stated that his administration aims to be remembered for building strong institutions that will sustain good governance and economic progress beyond its tenure.

“We have invested in rebuilding infrastructure and implementing policies that improve living standards, but we are also planning for the future,” he said.

“That is why we created a Sovereign Wealth Fund, where we have saved about six million US dollars to secure the future of Oyo State.”

The governor said the AfCFTA strategy aligns with his vision of combining knowledge, productivity, and natural resources to drive economic transformation.

He added that Oyo State’s infrastructure investments — including the ongoing upgrade of the Ibadan Airport to international standards — demonstrate a deliberate plan to attract investment and enable trade.

“Our goal is not just to build roads or schools,” Makinde said. “We want to be remembered for building institutions that guarantee sustainable development and prosperity long after this administration.”

He noted that Oyo State decided to take advantage of the AfCFTA framework independently, saying: “We are not waiting for the Federal Government.

“The agreement allows sub-nationals to take their destinies in their own hands, and that is exactly what we are doing.”

Makinde emphasized that Oyo State has identified its areas of competitive advantage, which it will leverage to increase productivity, foreign exchange earnings, and youth employment in line with his administration’s vision to move residents from poverty to prosperity.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on AfCFTA and International Trade, Ms. Neo Theodore Tlhaselo, commended Makinde’s leadership, describing Oyo as the first sub-national in Africa to sign on to the AfCFTA.

She said the post-launch engagement was part of the statutory process following the state’s inclusion in the continental agreement, enabling it to trade and collaborate within the AfCFTA framework.

The event was attended by the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, mni; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kazeem Adeniyi Bibire; Senior Executive Assistant to the Governor on General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; and Director-General, Oyo State Public Private Partnership Agency, Hon. Tilewa Folami, among others.