Senate President Godswill Akpabio has advised Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to remain focused on delivering results and ignore critics, assuring him that tangible achievements will ultimately define his leadership.
Akpabio gave the advice at the Ondo State Investment Summit 2026 held in Akure, where he congratulated the governor on his first anniversary in office.
Represented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Akpabio urged Aiyedatiwa to adopt strategic thinking that will position the state competitively on the global stage.
He stressed the importance of building a legacy anchored on long-term economic transformation.
He encouraged the governor not to be distracted by criticism, noting that performance and visible impact would speak louder than political opposition.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks at the summit, declared that Ondo State is open for business, industry, innovation and global partnerships.
He said the state is repositioning itself from a consumption-driven economy to a production-oriented, private sector-led industrial hub.
“Investors do not go where there is potential alone. They go where there is structure, certainty, and political will — and Ondo State offers all three,” the governor stated.
Aiyedatiwa emphasised that the summit was not ceremonial but outcome-driven, assuring investors that engagements and commitments made would be tracked, with measurable progress to be presented at the next edition.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment through simplified processes, stronger institutions, regulatory clarity, improved transparency and faster approvals.
The governor also highlighted the state’s youthful population as a strategic asset, noting ongoing efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation and support for small and medium enterprises.
On her part, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, called on Nigerians abroad to convert remittances into structured investments that drive industrial growth.
She urged members of the diaspora to see Ondo State as more than a place of origin but as a land of opportunity.
“Investing in your homeland is not just a patriotic act; it is an economic imperative,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
She stressed that the legal and institutional frameworks are in place to support both local and foreign investors, encouraging Nigerians abroad to channel their resources and expertise into job creation and industrial development.
