• Canadian government sees the potential of the vast land in Ogun State.

The Canadian Government has declared its intention to invest in the agricultural, technological, and infrastructural sectors of Ogun State, Nigeria in order to strengthen its more than 60 years of bilateral relationship with Nigeria. The Canadian Ambassador, Mr. Jamie Christoff mentioned this when he visited the Governor of Ogun State at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

During the courtesy visit on Tuesday, the Ambassador recognized the fact that Ogun has numerous opportunities that could draw in investors from Canada. He also noted one of the reasons he was in the state was to know more and discuss with government officials possible areas of mutual benefit to both parties.

Mr. Christoff explained that “Canada has a long-standing bilateral relationship with Nigeria expanding over 60 years, and the relationship covers many aspects, but one very important aspect is economic development”. 

“For us in Canada, we see potential, interest in the sector of agriculture, clean technology, we talked a little bit about infrastructural development as well”, he continued, adding that he came to seek friendship and represent Canada’s interest, however, “I can see through my drive this morning that there are opportunities here that will serve both our interest”, he said.

With over 16,000Sq kilometers of land, blessed with human and natural resources, Governor Dapo Abiodun affirmed that land in Ogun State is suitable for the cultivation of food and cash crops. “We have vast land and vast resources. We have lots of mineral resources from limestone, which is about two-thirds of our land with others including silica and huge forest reserves. 

The governor claims that these resources make the state the industrial capital of Nigeria, while most companies have their financial headquarter in Lagos, their major manufacturing factories are located in Ogun State. “We host two biggest cement factories in Nigeria, probably in Africa. As an industrial capital, we are close to the busiest sea and airports in Nigeria and we enjoy a crisscross of gas pipelines, and all these factors have made us a preferred choice by investors”, he stated.

Gov. Dapo also spoke on the subject of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). he claimed it was intended to change the push factor to a pull one and allow the populace to benefit from Lagos’ overpopulation. And to open up the state and draw in more investors, he continued, providing the necessary infrastructure, such as a good road network was necessary.

According to Abiodun, his administration is already building an airport and has plans to also create a seaport and a dry port at Kajola in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. He added that his administration will keep creating an environment that would draw more investors to the state.

However, Abiodun urged Canadian businesswomen to investigate the enormous investment prospects that abound in the state and pledged the willingness of his administration to collaborate with them.