All is now set for the Ondo State Investment Summit 2026, with a theme: “The New Order: Forging A Pathway To Prosperity,”.
The event is slated for Monday, February 23, 2026 at the International Cultural and Event Centre (The Dome), Alagbaka, in Akure.
The investment summit is part of efforts by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration to turn around the economic status of the state, even as the summit will provide an opportunity for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on ONDO DEEP SEA PORT.
The Chairman of the Investment Summit Committee, Summy Smart-Francis announced this at a Press Conference held today in Akure to herald the summit.
Smart-Francis who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, disclosed that the Summit is aiming at attracting investments into the state to create job opportunities and transform the state from a civil service state to an industrial hub.
He explained that international investors, investors from the country, captains of industry are expected at the summit.
The Chairman of the Investment Committee said that “the high level event would commence at 10am and end at 2:00 pm. But at 4:00pm, there will private investors roundtable conversation where the governor and members of the investment committee would interface with investors.
“Registration of participants could be done online via www.ondoinvestmentsummit.com and on Saturday at the registration desk at Investment House, Alagbaka, Akure.”
Smart-Francis expressed optimism that the summit would turn around the state economy, saying this summit would bring a great change to Ondo State economy as some Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) would be signed, including the Deep Seaport, fertilizer industry and others.
“These would boost the economy of the state and job opportunities would be created by these companies, which would translate to improved internally generated revenue(IGR).”
The Ondo Investment Summit 2026, he noted, a clear expression of the Governor’s visionary leadership under the “OUR EASE agenda, which continues to redefine governance and accelerate economic advancement across the State Through strategic reforms, investor-friendly policies, and deliberate efforts to simplify business processes, the administration has created an enabling environment where enterprise thrives and partnerships flourish. Built on the pillars of efficiency, accessibility, and economic sustainability, the “OUR EASE philosophy has strengthened investor confidence and positioned Ondo State as one of Nigeria’s most promising frontiers for growth and innovation. The Summit stands as a direct outcome of this bold vision and steadfast commitment to inclusive prosperity.
Also addressing the press, members of the State’s economic team emphasized Ondo’s unique competitive advantages, including the longest natural coastline in Nigeria vast agricultural potential, significant bitumen deposits, expanding cocos production, strong diaspora remittance inflows, and strategic connectivity to seven neighboring states.
These assets, they noted, provide a solid foundation for accelerated industrialization and export-led growth.
According to officials, Ondo State is strategically positioned to transition from a predominantly civil service driven economy to a diversified, private sector-led industrial powerhouse The Summit is expected to convene global investors, development finance institutions, captains of industry, diaspora investors, and key stakeholders to explore high-impact opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, energy, maritime development, solid minerals, and critical infrastructure
In his address, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Ondo Development and Investment Promotion Agency(ONDIPA), Mrs. Emmanuel Omomowo said the state is looking into opening all sectors for investors to key into, including blue economy, agriculture, bitumen, solid minerals, silicon sand, among others.
He said the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa-led administration is working assiduously to transform the state.
Omomowo disclosed that the state government has put in place a number incentives to make investment take-off seamless.
He highlighted all the comparative advantages of the state, disclosing that the state government has secured the licences for all the solid minerals available in the state for easy operation by investors.
According to him, adequate expanse of land needed by investors, including those investing in agriculture, would be provided free of charge by the state government.
Hon. Razaq Obe, a member of the Summit Committee assured that the state government would maximize the harvest of the summit.
He disclosed that within 48 hours of the direct engagement summit, the state would ensure all investors who signify interest in any of the economic sectors would be contacted by the committee.
Obe explained that “Ondo State is a natural hub for business putting into consideration the location of the state which has boundary with five states and the longest coastline.
“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa wants to explore these advantages to turn the state from a civil service state to an industrial hub.
“He want the state to expand its agricultural value chains with a view to generating job opportunities and enhance economic growth.
“The tax reform of Ondo State is investor-friendly, so investors would see Ondo State economy as the best destination to invest in.”
Hon. Wale Akinlosotu, the state Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations, who is also a member of the summit committee, disclosed that the state is working towards showcasing all economic potentials of the state to the Nigeria s in the diaspora to invest in the state.
Akinlosotu stated that Nigerians in the diaspora, including Ondo State indigenes are expected to key into the goals of the summit and identify ares they can invest in towards the development of the state
He highlighted the administration’s strong focus on Direct Diaspora Investment (DDI), noting that remittance inflows already contribute significantly to the State’s economy. He explained that the Summit aims to convert diaspora goodwill into structured, bankable investments capable of building sustainable industries, stimulating enterprise growth and generating employment opportunities
