Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s readiness to welcome large-scale international investment, saying the state is now better positioned than ever for global economic competitiveness.

The governor made the remark on Thursday in Akure during the 2025 End-of-Year Celebration of the Johnvents Group, where he outlined key reforms aimed at improving the state’s investment climate across major sectors.

Ondo’s Strategic Advantages

Aiyedatiwa highlighted Ondo State’s rich natural resources, robust agricultural potential, expanding industrial base, and the ongoing development of one of Nigeria’s most promising deep seaport corridors. These assets, he said, provide a solid foundation for attracting significant foreign investment.

With representatives from British International Investment, the International Finance Corporation, African Finance Corporation, United Capital, and Commercio Partners in attendance, the governor stressed that Ondo is now firmly connected to global investment networks.

“Prosperity in the 21st century thrives on collaboration and shared ambition. This assures every investor here and across the world that Ondo State is ready for investment, ready for expansion, ready for innovation, and ready for global competitiveness,” he stated.

Reforms Strengthening Investment Confidence

According to the governor, Ondo’s preparedness is supported by wide-ranging reforms such as:

• Enhanced security architecture
• Upgraded road infrastructure linking production centres to major markets
• Power interventions focused on industrial hubs
• Digitised government operations
• A streamlined one-stop investment process managed by the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA)

Johnvents Group as a Case Study

Aiyedatiwa praised the rapid growth of the Johnvents Group—now operating across three continents—as proof that Ondo has become a fertile ground for world-class enterprises. He noted that the conglomerate’s more than 10 factories, 1,500 employees, thousands of supported households, 5,000 farmers, and over 10,000 empowered youths reflect the tangible results of the state’s economic agenda.

“These developments show that Ondo has become a destination where investors can operate with confidence, speed, and predictability,” he said.

Agriculture Remains the State’s Strongest Asset

The governor emphasized agriculture as Ondo’s most competitive advantage, noting ongoing transformation efforts in cocoa, cassava, cashew, oil palm, timber, and aquaculture value chains. He assured international investors that the state offers a frictionless environment for scaling operations.

Aiyedatiwa congratulated the Johnvents Group for its role in the state’s industrial resurgence and expressed optimism that even more global investors would leverage the emerging opportunities.

Johnvents Commends the Government

In his remarks, Mr. Tarun Chawla, the Group Executive Director (Real Sector), reaffirmed the company’s commitment to promoting the state and engaging its people meaningfully. He praised the governor for fostering an enabling environment where businesses can thrive.