Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State visited the U.S. Embassy in Abuja to attract American investors to key economic sectors in his state, including a proposed deep-sea port, petrochemical hub, and refinery.
The governor assured officials that his administration is committed to creating a favorable environment for foreign investment.
During his meeting, Aiyedatiwa presented a range of investment opportunities, emphasising that the proposed deep-sea port could help alleviate congestion at Lagos’s ports and boost international maritime trade.
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The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, commended Ondo State’s efforts to improve its investment climate, particularly in terms of security and the ease of doing business.
Mills confirmed that the state has now been included on a list of recommended destinations for potential U.S. investors.
Aiyedatiwa highlighted the U.S. officials’ particular interest in the deep-sea port, as well as the petrochemical and refinery projects planned for the state’s free trade zone.
He mentioned that his administration has already signed more than five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local and foreign investors in the last six months.
Beyond economic matters, the discussions also touched on the success of the state-backed security network, the Amotekun Corps.
The governor noted that the U.S. officials were pleased with the security situation, acknowledging the Amotekun Corps’ role in complementing federal security agencies.
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Aiyedatiwa also pointed out that the United Nations has recognized the corps by designating July 7 as “World Amotekun Day.”
He described the engagement as a fruitful step toward strengthening trade and investment relations between the state and the US.
