Governor Abiodun meets investors in China, seeks expansion of Ogun state economic frontiers

Bolaji Obabiyi (Intern)

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has visited China alongside his economic team, seeking expansion of the state’s economy, as part of the state’s ongoing investment drive in its various industrial clusters as well as to strengthen the state’s digital Innovation hub,

Penpushing reports that a statement by, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade stated that the Governor and his team in the course of the engagement met with Inspur, one of the foremost IT firms in Shandong Province and indeed across China, which took the team through the history of the company’s existence and their inspiring vision for the future.

The statement added that the team marveled at the similarities between their trajectory and the concept for the Ogun Tech Hub, which reaffirmed the conviction of the government that with the right partnerships and support for the state’s ICT companies, Ogun State can take its rightful place as a digital innovation hub in Africa.

“Our conversations with Inspur were focused on how we can translate this meeting into meaningful collaborations that will drive knowledge exchange, create opportunities for our people, and further strengthen the foundation of our digital economy”, Abiodun stated

Penpushing further reports that in same vein, the team played host to Mrs. Linshuang Zhang, the Chairman of Royal Ceramic, a foremost player in Nigeria’s ceramic manufacturing industry, with their state-of-the-art factory situated in Sagamu, Ogun State.

The statement added that Zhang, presence, was not only a mark of respect but also a testament to the growing confidence of industrial giants in the state ‘s administration’s vision for a prosperous Ogun State.

Penpushing also reports that it stressed that Zhang during her visit expressed profound appreciation for the remarkable strides Ogun State has made in transforming the state into a truly business-friendly environment.

The statement added that she commended the deliberate efforts of the Governor in building critical infrastructure, strengthening security, and ensuring policies that enable manufacturers like her to thrive.

‘We reaffirmed our commitment to sustaining this trajectory of growth by continuing to create the right atmosphere for investment, innovation, and industrial expansion. It gives us great pride that investors such as Royal Ceramic recognize and celebrate these achievements, further validating our resolve to keep Ogun State at the forefront of Nigeria’s industrial revolution”, Abiodun said.

Penpushing reports that the statement said the team had a strategic meeting with the Managing Director of Lee Group, where they were informed about the company’s upcoming investments in Ogun State valued at about 50 million dollars.

“This is yet another testament to the attractiveness of our state as the emerging industrial capital of Nigeria, and we remain committed to sustaining policies that make Ogun a preferred destination for global investors’, the statement reads.

“We are equally delighted to note that Lee Group is expanding its detergent business, which proudly stands as the number one in Nigeria in terms of sales. This expansion will not only consolidate their market leadership but also create more job opportunities for our people and stimulate economic activities across the value chain’.

“In addition, Lee Group is broadening its footprint in the food processing sector with the establishment of two new factories dedicated to exports to the United States and Europe. This bold step underscores the growing confidence of international markets in products made in Ogun State, while also positioning our state as a hub for export-driven industrialization”.

Penpushing further reports that the statement explained that in another development, the Governor had an engagement with Governor of Shandong Province, Mr. Zhou Naixiang, as part of efforts to rekindle and strengthen a Shandong-Ogun State Economic and Trade Partnership under the broader Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (NCSP).

The statement added that this engagement was in line with the earlier agreement between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President Xi Jinping at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, September 2024.

“This engagement is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative of our President exemplified by expanding the frontiers of investment and cooperation for the benefit of our people’, he said.

‘During our discussions, we are exploring opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and human capital development”, Abiodun emphasised.

Penpushing also reports that in a related development, Abiodun on Saturday morning held a strategic meeting with the Mayor of Rizhao, Wang Xinsheng, to deepen economic and cultural ties between the State and the Chinese coastal city.

The Governor at the meeting emphasized the centrality of the Olokola Deep Sea Port project to the future of Ogun State, noting that its development would not only position the State as Nigeria’s leading industrial and maritime hub, but also serve as a gateway for enhanced trade between Africa and Asia.

Penpushing reports that he disclosed that discussions with Rizhao – a city renowned for its thriving port economy – were aimed at fostering collaboration that will bring world-class technical expertise and investment into the project.

The Governor equally highlighted the state’s rich mineral deposits and the opportunities that exist for exploration and value-added development, stressing the administration’s readiness to partner with reputable global players in the sector.

Penpushing further reports that he added that such collaborations would boost industrialization, create jobs and expand Ogun’s revenue base, and beyond economic pursuits, Abiodun underscored the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Ogun State and Rizhao,

The Governor at the meeting explained that these ties would foster mutual understanding, strengthen bilateral relations and open new frontiers for educational and tourism cooperation, noting that, is another milestone in Ogun State’s international investment drive, reinforcing the state’s attractiveness as a preferred destination for global partnerships.

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