The Federal Government has hailed Ondo State as Nigeria’s next major industrial destination, commending Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for providing a secure and investor-friendly environment that continues to attract large-scale industrial projects.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, gave the commendation on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure, after inspecting the ongoing Supertec Methanol and Harmonium Plant project in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.
Ekpo described the methanol and fertilizer production facility as a landmark investment with massive economic potential, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to harness Nigeria’s natural gas resources for industrial growth.
“Because of the importance of this project, we decided to come on inspection. The use of natural gas here to produce methanol, fertilizer, and other vital products is a step in the right direction for national development,” the Minister said.
He further noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited would leverage such strategic investments to boost upstream operations and add value to the country’s gas sector.
“I congratulate Governor Aiyedatiwa for creating an enabling environment for this project to thrive. This is what other states should emulate to drive economic transformation across the country,” Ekpo added.
In his response, Governor Aiyedatiwa appreciated the Minister’s visit and acknowledged the efforts of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) for streamlining investment processes and removing bureaucratic barriers that often discourage investors.
The Governor highlighted ongoing industrial initiatives facilitated through ONDIPA, including a 500,000-barrel-per-day modular refinery, a petrochemical plant in Ilaje Local Government Area, and the proposed Ondo Deep Seaport.
“Ondo is on the path to becoming the industrial hub of the Southwest. Our Southern Senatorial District is rich in oil, gas, and minerals, and we are working to harness these resources for sustainable economic growth,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to private-sector-driven development, emphasizing that industrial expansion remains key to job creation and economic diversification in the state.
He added that his government is improving infrastructure, including the dualization of the Ore–Okitipupa–Igbokoda road, to further ease transportation and attract investors.
“The land is there, the resources are there, and Ondo is open for business,” the Governor declared.
