By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has announced the successful securing of a $100 million investment deal from a group of investors based in the United Kingdom. The development followed Governor Ademola Adeleke’s recent visit to the UK, during which he engaged with key stakeholders at a series of high-level business and trade meetings.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Governor’s spokesperson, Rasheed Olawale, revealed that the investment package spans key sectors including agriculture, water supply, tourism, and the state’s free trade zone.
Olawale disclosed that Governor Adeleke participated in four major strategic meetings while in the UK, presenting Osun’s current investment potential and laying the groundwork for new economic partnerships.
He dismissed recent social media claims and videos circulated by political opponents, describing them as misinformation aimed at discrediting the governor’s overseas engagements.
According to Olawale, the Governor’s participation in the 2025 Commonwealth Business Investment Conference was guided by clear objectives. Chief among them was updating potential investors on recent infrastructure upgrades across Osun State and the introduction of policies to make doing business easier.
“These engagements were also aimed at building formal ties with the United Kingdom, particularly through the Office of the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria,” he explained.
During the meetings, Osun’s investment environment was presented to British and European stakeholders, with emphasis on recent reforms such as: a harmonised tax framework designed to eliminate multiple taxation; a 45-day window for the processing of Certificates of Occupancy; and a dedicated one-stop investment processing centre.
Olawale noted that the state’s Free Trade Zone, which is undergoing revitalisation, was introduced as a viable platform for UK and European investors seeking to explore the model within Nigeria.
He added that infrastructure development in Osun was also a central theme of the presentations, with the state showcasing a 45 percent reduction in its infrastructure deficit and a projected 75 percent decrease by the end of 2025. Progress in road construction, bridges, healthcare, and social amenities was illustrated through detailed charts and data, which reportedly impressed the international business community.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with ESG Consulting Group to serve as the official liaison between the Osun State Government and the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy. ESG will also act as an interface between Osun and potential UK investors.
The $100 million investment deal was signed during this event, witnessed by Hon Florence Eshalomi, the UK Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria.
Olawale also noted the establishment of a collaborative framework involving the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, the Osun State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and their UK counterpart. The trilateral arrangement is expected to foster stronger commercial ties and open up new channels for trade and investment.
In addition to the business engagements, the delegation secured a cultural partnership with the British Museum, focused on promoting Osun’s rich heritage. This includes a digitisation project for the state’s cultural assets and an initiative that highlights the historical connections between the British Museum and Ile Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba civilisation.
The trip concluded with a series of town hall-style meetings held over two days, where Governor Adeleke and his team engaged with Osun indigenes in the UK. These sessions provided an opportunity for citizens abroad to receive updates on governance and contribute ideas for development back home.