Oyo to partner UK government on economic development

Gov. Seyi Makinde said on Thursday that his administration would continue to collaborate with development partners and the private sector to promote economic growth.

Makinde said this while hosting the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, in his office at the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The governor, who noted that government alone cannot develop the state's economy, said there was a need to look at development partners and also encourage private sector participation.

"For us in Oyo State, we recognize the fact that government alone cannot sort out the challenges we have, so I am glad to have you here to also discuss business opportunities."

Earlier, Llewellyn-Jones said the essence of the visit was to meet the governor and talk about some areas in which Britain and Oyo State could collaborate for development.

He maintained that his role was to promote UK trade, investment, and economic growth across Nigeria.

Llewellyn-Jones also said that his team would be meeting with British companies as well as officials of the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.

"I will also spend some time discussing partnerships with the University of Ibadan," he said.

The team, which also included the Head of Prosperity, British Deputy High Commissioner, Kris Camponi, and Senior Political Adviser, Wale Adebajo, later went into a closed-door meeting with the governor.