Industrialising Oyo state: A path to sustainable progress

BY BEULAH ADEOYE

When we talk about industrialisation, we often focus on the glamorous side of things: factories, roads, power plants, and bustling trade. However, there’s one factor that underpins all of these – security. Without a stable and safe environment, industries cannot thrive. The fears of theft, violence, and unrest act as a powerful deterrent for both local and international investors. If Singapore and Rwanda, two nations that have experienced remarkable industrialisation, have shown us anything, it’s that industrial growth is inextricably linked to a peaceful, secure, and stable environment.

Now, as Oyo state embarks on its ambitious journey towards industrialisation, ensuring the security of its people, its infrastructure, and its industries is non-negotiable. But how can a state like Oyo, rich in potential but still facing security challenges, ensure that its industrialisation goals are not thwarted by instability?

The industrialisation of any state requires three key components: reliable infrastructure, adequate funding, and a secure environment. While the first two are crucial, the third – security – is the linchpin. A state that is beset by violence, crime, or civil unrest is not only unattractive to investors, but also struggles to attract skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and tourists – all key drivers of economic development.

Singapore, despite its small size, understood that security was foundational to its rise as a global business hub. It created a safe, stable environment where both local and foreign businesses felt secure enough to invest. This commitment to safety allowed Singapore to thrive, offering an atmosphere where industries could focus on growth rather than worry about security.

Similarly, Rwanda, after experiencing the horrors of a civil war and genocide, has become one of Africa’s success stories. The country’s industrialisation is in full swing, but it wouldn’t be possible without a government that prioritises safety and security for all. Rwanda’s remarkable journey to become one of the most peaceful nations in Africa has been underpinned by an unwavering focus on national security, and Oyo can take inspiration from that.

So, how can Oyo, with its growing economy and ambitious industrial goals, ensure a future where businesses, industries, and entrepreneurs feel secure enough to invest?

One of the defining aspects of security in Oyo is the community. Unlike the often top-down approach that many large countries take, Nigeria’s federal structure requires a more grassroots, community-based approach to security. The people who live in each community know it best – its strengths, its weaknesses, and its potential threats.

Oyo state’s unique advantage is its ability to create local security solutions through traditional means combined with modern law enforcement. Communities, religious groups, and local leaders must take the lead in creating community policing initiatives. These initiatives could involve neighbourhood watch programmes, where residents keep an eye on each other’s properties and report suspicious activities to the authorities. Traditional institutions, such as the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Okere of Saki, Aseyin of Iseyin, and Eleyinpo of Ipapo among others, can play a pivotal role in ensuring peace by rallying their communities around shared goals of safety and prosperity.

By promoting collaboration between local communities and law enforcement, Oyo can create a more robust and agile security apparatus that is tailored to the local context. With neighbourhood security programmes and a greater emphasis on inter-communal cooperation, Oyo can make its communities safer, providing a solid foundation for the industries that will drive its economic future.

While traditional forms of community policing are essential, modernising Oyo’s security infrastructure is equally important. Investing in modern security technologies is no longer optional. The government must build smart cities that use the latest security innovations – CCTV surveillance, automated alarm systems, drones and even surveillance aircraft – to monitor potential threats and ensure the safety of industrial zones, farms, forest reserves, water bodies, mines, border communities, major parks and transport corridors.

Moreover, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly crucial. As Oyo embraces digital technologies, including e-commerce, fintech, and industrial automation, it will need robust cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive data and digital infrastructure. Companies won’t want to invest in Oyo if they fear their intellectual property or financial data could be compromised. Just as Singapore has invested heavily in its technological infrastructure, Oyo must prioritise the digital security that will be the backbone of its thriving, modern industries.

For security to be effective, all stakeholders must work together. The Oyo state government, private sector, and security agencies must collaborate closely to design and implement solutions that meet the needs of industries and communities.

Take, for instance, the idea of creating Special Economic Zones (SEZs) within Oyo state such as Ilu-tuntun in Akinyele Local Government, where businesses can operate in a secure and controlled environment. Not forgetting the Moniya Dry Port and Railway station as a major transport and business gateway to Oyo state. The government could partner with private security firms to create a highly secure area, thus allowing companies to focus on manufacturing, R&D, and other industrial activities without constant concerns over theft, vandalism, or violence. This kind of private-public collaboration has worked wonders in places like Shenzhen, China, and Dubai, where zones of industrial growth have been highly secure, fostering rapid economic growth.

In Oyo, such SEZs could attract both local and international investors by guaranteeing that their investments are well protected. The presence of dedicated security forces such as Amotekun, including trained personnel for industrial security, would offer an additional layer of protection to businesses, ensuring that workers and business owners feel secure in their operations.

Oyo state should explore the use of technology-driven security solutions. Modern-day security challenges require tech-savvy solutions. Smart surveillance systems, aircraft and drones for patrols, AI-powered crime prediction systems, and even the use of blockchain technology for transaction verification are all possibilities for a state looking to ensure that security and industrialisation move in tandem.

Blockchain, for example, can be used to ensure transparency in land transactions, reducing the incidence of fraud and illegal land grabbing – one of the most common problems hindering investment in developing economies.

Furthermore, investing in safe, reliable transportation networks is key. Roads, railways, and logistics hubs should be heavily monitored to prevent attacks or theft of goods in transit. While the federal government is responsible for some of these infrastructures, Oyo state has the opportunity to establish its own independent and secure transportation networks for local industries. This was echoed by the new Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade when he called for surveillance between Fiditi and Oyo Town, whilst appreciating His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde for the security technology infrastructure already installed up to a point on that same corridor. This would not only encourage investment but also promote domestic trade and the growth of local businesses.

Security is not just the responsibility of the government or law enforcement; it is everyone’s responsibility. If Oyo is to industrialise and thrive, we must all play our part in making our state safer. As citizens, we must:

– Support community security initiatives by volunteering or participating in neighbourhood watch programmes.

– Collaborate with law enforcement to report suspicious activities and ensure the security of our neighborhoods, farms, and industries.

– Invest in personal and corporate security measures, such as insurance, cyber protections, and physical security systems.

– Advocate for better security policies that prioritise the safety of businesses, employees, and infrastructure.

It’s time for Oyo state to be a beacon of safety and stability in Nigeria, attracting investors, businesses, and industries. When Oyo is secure, the industries will come, and industrialisation will flourish.

In the next edition, we’ll explore how Oyo can leverage its unique cultural and tourism assets to drive economic growth and attract international attention. Stay tuned!