TORONTO, CANADA — Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor of Ondo State, has formally invited Nigerians living abroad to return home to Sunshine State, which is Nigeria’s top destination for wealth generation and high-yield investments.Under the subject “Invest Nigeria; Thrive Abroad,” the Governor’s delegate, Mr. Kolade Oyinbo of KensholGroup Nigeria Limited, gave a strategic presentation on Thursday at the Nigeria Diaspora Economic Conference (NiDEC 2026) in the Greater Toronto Area.According to Starnews NG, the administration is pushing foreign nationals to switch from traditional cash transfers to safe, structured corporate investments. The government, supported by the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), is providing direct assistance, strong legal frameworks, and land facilitation to safeguard international capital.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Ondo State, the new hub for wealth creation through investment partnership,” Governor Aiyedatiwa declared in his address, positioning the state as a sophisticated, bankable territory engineered for corporate growth rather than a charitable destination.
The governor emphasized two significant industrial assets to show the state’s commercial potential. Located in the beachfront Ilaje Local Government Area, the $50 billion Sunshine Infrastructure Joint Venture includes a 1,471-hectare Sunshine Free Trade Zone and a refinery capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. In order to guaranty community stability, the state has provided land for equality and developed with Backbone Infrastructure and foreign partners.Governor Aiyedatiwa claims that the Olokola Dangote Industrial & Free Trade Zone is being built as a “plug-and-play” ecosystem with integrated gas infrastructure, independent power generation, and cement manufacturing to enable investors to scale operations with ease.
The state’s natural resources, which provide substantial first-mover advantages, were also highlighted by Governor Aiyedatiwa. “With an estimated 42 billion barrels spread across Ilaje, Okitipupa, and Irele LGAs, Ondo holds Africa’s largest bitumen deposit, supported by a specialized Bitumen Economic Zone designed to streamline licensing,” he said.According to Starnews NG, the state continues to be Nigeria’s top producer of cocoa, accounting for 40% of the country’s total output. It is also expanding rapidly in oil palm, cassava, and rubber, thanks to a $200 million investment from Presco Plc in 2026.According to Starnews NG, the administration is pushing the boundaries of deep seaport development, commercial fishing, and maritime logistics by utilizing its 180-kilometer Atlantic coastline.
The Governor presented a plan to protect foreign inflows while addressing worries about bureaucracy and business safety. This includes a collaboration model where local industry specialists help the state government, which acts as a protective backbone. To safeguard resources and infrastructures, the administration is also incorporating cutting-edge security architecture with regional intelligence networks. The government wants to help diaspora entrepreneurs implement business models in industries including fintech, real estate, manufacturing, technology, and medical tourism thru strong, data-driven openness.”We urge the diaspora to act decisively and collaborate with this administration to build a prosperous economic future, as Ondo State has aligned its regulatory frameworks with international standards.” Nigerians in Canada were informed by Aiyedatiwa.
