OSOGBO — The Osun State Government, under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the state’s economic landscape by aggressively empowering young entrepreneurs and fostering a robust private-sector environment.

Shifting the Economic Narrative

Governor Adeleke, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bunmi Jenyo, announced that the state is successfully shedding its long-standing reputation as a "purely civil service state." Through deliberate policy interventions, the administration has stimulated a growing 24-hour economy in Osogbo and its surrounding communities.

      •  Key Economic Indicators: The government highlighted an influx of foreign investors and a noticeable rise in local commercial operations.

      •  Leisure and Hospitality: By creating an environment where business and leisure thrive, the state aims to keep capital within Osun, reducing the need for residents to seek entertainment or business opportunities in other hubs like Lagos.

Supporting Youth-Led Investment

A prime example of this success is the commissioning of the new Backroom Lounge in Osogbo. The facility, owned by entrepreneur Tunde Oladimeji, complements a mini-stadium project commissioned by the same investor in 2024. The Governor used this success story to illustrate how government support is encouraging indigenes—including those raised outside the state—to return and invest in Osun’s future.

Scaling Up: The Living Spring Free Trade Zone

In a major move to solidify this economic growth, the state government revealed that 12 new industries have been allocated land at the revitalized Living Spring Free Trade Zone in Ede. This development is projected to:

      •  Generate over 10,000 direct jobs.

      •  Stimulate wider industrial activity across the state.

      •  Solidify Osun's position as a regional destination for both manufacturing and hospitality.

Governor Adeleke concluded with a promise of continued support for youth entrepreneurs, particularly in the sports and hospitality sectors, emphasizing that his administration’s goal is to ensure that "every sector of Osun is working."