Oil Palm Revolution: Edo Emerges as Nigeria’s Export Leader

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has sparked a national conversation, advocating for a transformative approach to tackle Nigeria’s foreign exchange crisis. Emphasizing the need for robust fiscal policies, he proposes a strategic shift towards local manufacturing and export promotion. Obaseki’s call to action comes as he hosts the National President of the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Otunba Francis Meshioye, and other executives in a high-profile meeting at the Government House, Benin City.

In his address, Governor Obaseki underscores the pivotal role of the manufacturing sector in steering Nigeria’s economic course. He asserts that the nation’s overreliance on imports has reached a critical juncture, necessitating a decisive move towards self-sufficiency. With Edo State leading by example, leveraging its abundant raw materials for production, Obaseki champions the imperative for nationwide industrialization.

Highlighting Edo’s monumental strides, Governor Obaseki showcases the state’s pioneering Oil Palm Development Programme (ESOPP), heralding it as the largest initiative of its kind in Africa. Under this initiative, seven investors have been allocated 70,000 hectares of land to cultivate oil palm, epitomizing Edo’s commitment to agricultural and industrial expansion.

In response, MAN’s National President commends Governor Obaseki’s visionary leadership, lauding Edo’s emergence as a premier hub for private sector investments. As Obaseki spearheads a paradigm shift towards domestic production and export-oriented growth, his resolute stance heralds a new dawn for Nigeria’s economic resurgence.