Kwara hosts investment summit, as stakeholders assess state’s ease of doing business reforms

•  Gov AbdulRazaq is doing a lot to support businesses: Nigerian Export Promotion Council, others

Kwara State is steadily building a stronger foundation for commerce through public-private partnerships, institutional reforms, digitilization, and improvements in the business environment, Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, said on Thursday.

Speaking in Ilorin at the Investment Summit – 2026, which was organized by the State Ease of Doing Business Council (EODBC), Dr Nuru said Kwara State, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has been repositioned to create a more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly business environment. 

Dr Nuru, who is the Chairman of the  Council, said the body was created by this government not just to improve its procedures on economic activities, but also to build the confidence of people to invest, expand, and succeed.

The Commissioner said, apart from its strategic location that stands the chance to attract investments, the government is committed to investing in basic infrastructure that offers opportunities for investors to seek long-term growth and sustainable returns.

“Our gathering today is not simply another conference. It is a declaration of confidence in Kwara State. A confidence built on a clear vision, deliberate reforms and a growing determination to transform our enormous potential into measurable economic 

results,” she said. 

“Across agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, solid minerals, logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, education, hospitality, real estate, technology and the creative economy, Kwara offers opportunities for investors seeking long-term growth and sustainable returns.

“The development of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone at Malete, our industrial infrastructure, and other emerging investment platforms demonstrates a State that is moving deliberately towards value addition, industrialisation and job creation.” 

Themed: “From Reforms to Results: Positioning Kwara as Nigeria's Investment Destination”, the Summit was segmented into speech delivery, 

paper presentation, and panel discussion.

Dignitaries in attendance included top government officials, captains of industry, traditional rulers, leaders of marketers associations and Trade Union Congress, and development partners. 

Emir of Ilorin and Chairman State Council of Chiefs, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari (CFR) was represented by Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Usman Abubakar Atolagbe Jos, while Onijagbo of Ijagbo, Oba Sharafadeen Adeniyi Buhari Babalola Ilufemiloye (I) was also seated.

In her presentation, Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bola Olukoju, said Kwarans now have easy access to accurate and timely information, because the government is deliberately investing in digital communication.

She also spoke on the commitment of the government to making markets readily available for digital-led investments. 

“With 65% of Kwarans under 35 and 82% literacy, the state is building skill pipelines across the digital economy and working to connect graduates to real markets, not just certificates,” she said.

Chairman Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KW-GIS), Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem, said the Service has so far processed 2,538 land applications, noting this sharp increase was aided by the reforms the government put in place.

He said the government through KW-GIS has also digitized a total of 19,591 land records to enhance their accessibility and management. 

“Before now, application processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) was about 180 days, this has been streamlined. Today, processing time is now reduced to 35 days,” he said.

Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon Damilola Yusuf-Adelodun, who was represented by Mrs Fatimo Raheem Agboola, said the government will not rest on its oars to deepen access to finance and infrastructure, and strengthen institutional capacity to foster businesses and grow the local economy.

“As a Government, we will continue to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve access to finance and infrastructure, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure that policies are predictable and business-friendly,” she said.

For his part, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Works, Mr. Anthony Gana Abu, while highlighting the achievements of the administration on the road network, said hundreds of kilometres of rural roads have been fixed by this government under the State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

State Coordinator for Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr Olu Abisoye Ikukajulo, lauded the government’s support for the business community and how it continues to make the local products exportable.

He encouraged the government to develop a comprehensive database that showcases products, production locations, production volumes, processors, exporters, infrastructure, markets, and investment gaps.

“Truly, the Kwara State Government is doing a lot on export promotion. I will only advise it to do more, and to intensify its partnership with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council to maximize results,” he said

Other dignitaries who made remarks were Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola; representative of the Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), Mr Bolaji Yusuf Lakadir, who noted that a business-friendly environment is shaped not only by incentives but also through easy interaction of businesses with the government.

Some of the participants, who spoke, advised the government to do more on funding windows for small and medium scale businesses and farmers. They also encouraged the Ease of Doing Business Council to commit more to publicity, sensitizing the people on economic policies and programmes of government.

Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed, 

Press Secretary, 

Ministry of Finance.

September 4, 2026.