Osun State Government has disclosed that more than 10,000 direct jobs will be created following the allocation of land to about 12 new industries in its revitalised Living Spring Free Trade Zone in Ede.
The development was announced on Thursday by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bunmi Jenyo, during an empowerment programme held in Osogbo for residents of Osun Central Senatorial District. The programme was sponsored by the Omo Oluwa Initiative Forum.
Jenyo explained that the industries, once operational, will not only generate direct employment but also stimulate ancillary supply chains across the state’s economy.
According to him, “Land has been allocated to not less than 12 new industries in the revitalised Living Spring Free Trade Zone in Ede, which is poised to create over 10,000 direct jobs and stimulate ancillary supply chains.”
He added that the investment drive followed increased interest from both local and foreign investors after the Osun Industrial Investment Summit 2024 and the Osun State Industrial Investment Roundtable 2025, which attracted more than 150 investors.
The investors, he noted, are focusing on key sectors including agro-processing, agriculture, ICT, tourism, creative industries, and light manufacturing.
Jenyo further linked the progress to ongoing ease-of-doing-business reforms implemented by the state government. These include the digitisation of business registration and land titling processes, which he said have significantly reduced bottlenecks for investors.
“As a result of these reforms, over 2,500 new MSMEs have been registered between 2023 and 2025,” he said.
While addressing participants at the empowerment programme, the commissioner commended the founder of the Omo Oluwa Initiative Forum, Olusegun Elijah, for supporting skills development across the senatorial district.
He noted that more than 200 beneficiaries were trained in vocational areas such as barbering, agro-processing, adire production, and the production of liquid soap and balm.
Jenyo described the initiative as aligned with the economic development agenda of Governor Ademola Adeleke, particularly in promoting low-cost, high-demand trades with export potential.
“Omo-Oluwa Initiative Forum deserves commendation. By prioritising barbering, agro-processing, adire, liquid soap, and balm production—trades with low startup costs, daily demand, and export potential—you are aligning with Osun’s economic revival,” he said.
He also urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the starter packs provided, stressing that they should be seen as seed capital rather than handouts.
“To our participants who are being empowered today: the starter packs you are receiving today are not handouts but seed capital. The Forum has sown the seed; your role is to nurture it into abundance,” Jenyo added.
In his remarks, Ayobami Oyelade, who represented the founder of the initiative, said the programme was designed to address unemployment and economic challenges facing youths and women.
“We recognise that true development is not in words alone, but in practical actions that put tools in the hands of the people,” he said.
Nigeria Startup News reports that the Osun State Ministry of Commerce continues to intensify efforts to attract foreign direct investment while also supporting local enterprises, as part of a broader strategy to drive inclusive economic growth.
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