Progress and proposals in meeting global development indices

BY BEULAH ADEOYE

Oyo state, one of Nigeria’s most historically significant and resource-rich regions, has in recent years embarked on a strategic push towards industrialisation.

Positioned in the southwestern part of the country, with Ibadan as a central urban hub, the state is naturally poised for industrial advancement due to its human capital, agricultural base, and geographic connectivity. Yet, for decades, industrialisation remained elusive. The past six years, however, have witnessed a focused approach to building infrastructure, stimulating local manufacturing, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), and aligning economic policies with global development goals.

This series examines the state’s industrialisation trajectory, framed around global benchmarks such as the Human Development Index (HDI), Foreign Direct Investment inflows (FDI), Ease of Doing Business rankings, and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective is to assess the extent to which recent efforts have translated into measurable industrial progress and to identify proposed areas requiring further attention.

A core requirement for industrial development is the presence of reliable infrastructure. In recent years, Oyo State has made visible progress in this area, particularly in transport, energy, and logistics—three components critical to attracting industrial investment.

Over 500 kilometres of intra- and inter-city roads have been rehabilitated or constructed since 2019, significantly improving connectivity between urban centres and rural production areas. Notable among these are arterial routes linking Ibadan to Oyo Town, Ogbomoso, and Iseyin. These improved logistics corridors have enhanced the movement of goods and reduced transit times for raw materials and finished products, encouraging investment in processing and manufacturing.

Industrialisation has traditionally been stifled by Nigeria’s national grid instability. In response, several independent power projects and embedded generation schemes have been initiated within the state. These projects—mostly structured through public-private partnerships—now supply electricity to select industrial zones, reducing reliance on diesel generators and lowering operational costs for businesses.

The state has developed and designated special industrial zones and clusters tailored to meet the needs of specific sectors such as agro-processing, light manufacturing, textiles, and renewable energy.

Given its strength in agriculture, Oyo state has prioritised agro-industrial clusters in key areas like Fasola, Iseyin, and Oyo Town. These clusters provide shared infrastructure such as warehousing, access roads, water supply, and energy. They are strategically positioned close to raw material sources and are designed to reduce costs for processors while improving product quality and value addition. Between 2020 and 2024, agro-processing output in the state rose by an estimated 12.5%, largely due to the concentration of activity in these hubs.

In Ibadan, one of the state’s largest investment zones now houses dozens of medium-scale manufacturing firms operating in the plastics, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials sectors. The zone offers tax incentives, subsidised land, and improved security—key elements that have attracted industrial investors.

Oyo state has witnessed a steady increase in foreign direct investment, especially in the post-2020 period. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the state attracted \$78 million in FDI in 2023, up from \$45 million in 2020 — representing a 73% increase over three years. These investments are primarily concentrated in manufacturing, agribusiness, and real estate development within industrial corridors.

Reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy and encouraging enterprise formation have begun to yield results. The state streamlined land registration processes, cut turnaround times for construction permits, and reduced duplicative licensing for manufacturing firms. These interventions contributed to Oyo’s improvement on Nigeria’s sub-national Ease of Doing Business index, where it moved from rank 22 in 2018 to rank 10 in 2023. Entrepreneurs now report faster turnaround times for business incorporation and improved access to regulatory agencies.

A significant contributor to industrial capacity is the availability of skilled labor. Oyo State has expanded access to technical and vocational education through investments in training centres and curricula aligned with industry needs. As of 2024, the number of accredited technical institutions in the state had grown by 40% since 2019, with more than 15,000 youths completing skills development programs in areas such as electrical installation, welding, plumbing, and ICT.

Healthcare services, an important dimension of HDI, have also seen moderate improvements. Primary healthcare centres across rural and peri-urban areas have been upgraded, with a reported increase in healthcare access from 58% in 2019 to 71% in 2024. Improved health outcomes contribute directly to labour productivity and economic resilience.

The industrial and services sectors now contribute more significantly to state GDP than they did a decade ago. According to data from the Nigerian Gross State Product Report (2024), the state’s industrial sector grew at a compound annual rate of 5.3% between 2019 and 2024. Employment in manufacturing rose by 12.7% over the same period, driven by job creation in agro-processing, logistics, and light assembly plants.

Innovation has emerged as a silent enabler of industrial growth. The establishment of digital hubs and maker spaces in Ibadan and Ogbomoso has fostered local technology development, especially in agritech, fintech, and manufacturing automation. These hubs serve as incubation centres for startups and also host training programs in coding, machine learning, and 3D printing.

More importantly, linkages between academia and industry have begun to materialise, with universities and polytechnics collaborating on R\&D, product design, and workforce development. These efforts are aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and reflect a shift toward knowledge-based industrialisation.

Oyo state’s industrialisation strategy aligns with multiple SDGs, especially SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth): through increased employment in industrial sectors and support for SMEs; SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure): via industrial cluster development, power generation for production, and transportation upgrades; SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy): through renewable energy projects supporting rural industries and powering processing facilities; and SDG 4 (quality education): by expanding technical and vocational education relevant to the industrial workforce.

Environmental considerations have also entered the industrial planning process. Several new industrial facilities are mandated to conduct environmental impact assessments (EIAs), adopt waste management plans, and integrate energy-efficient systems, especially within export-focused sectors.

Despite significant strides, industrialisation in Oyo state is not without its challenges:

Infrastructure gaps – Rural road maintenance remains inconsistent, and several remote clusters still face challenges in electricity access and broadband penetration.

Capital access for SMEs – While larger industries benefit from investment incentives, smaller manufacturers still face barriers in accessing financing and affordable industrial land.

Data and monitoring systems – Development planning is sometimes hindered by poor data collection, especially on industrial output, labour productivity, and environmental compliance.

Urbanisation pressure – As industrial activity concentrates around Ibadan and its environs, pressure on housing, waste management, and urban planning has intensified.

Over the past six years, Oyo state has moved closer to industrial relevance by investing in infrastructure, enhancing the ease of doing business, and developing sector-specific industrial zones. These efforts have had measurable impacts on FDI inflows, job creation, and the human development index. The state’s approach demonstrates a clear attempt to align industrial growth with global development benchmarks, particularly the HDI, FDI attractiveness, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

While challenges remain, especially in inclusive access to capital and rural infrastructure, the foundation laid so far represents a credible and strategic path toward economic transformation. The coming years will test the resilience and scalability of these initiatives – but if sustained and refined, Oyo State may soon emerge not just as a regional industrial hub, but as a model for other sub-national governments seeking to translate intentional policy decisions into development impact led by His Excellency Seyi Makinde who is the Chief Executive of the state and Oyo State’s Chief Marketing Officer himself.