Aiyedatiwa expands aide’s portfolio to drive investment in Ondo

The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expanded the responsibilities of his Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Summy Francis, to include investment, as part of efforts to accelerate the state’s economic transformation.

Aiyedatiwa announced the decision at the Ondo Investment Summit 2026, themed “The New Ondo: Forging the Pathway to Prosperity.”

In a statement signed by the governor’s office and made available to PUNCH Online on Friday, Aiyedatiwa said the move underscored his administration’s commitment to positioning Ondo as a prime destination for business and capital inflows.

“In our bold bid to fast-track Ondo State’s economic transformation, we have expanded the mandate of our Special Adviser on Entrepreneurship and Innovation to include Investment.

By integrating entrepreneurship, innovation and investment under a unified advisory platform, we are eliminating bureaucratic hurdles, enhancing investor confidence and catalysing private-sector development across critical sectors of our economy,” he said.

The governor explained that the consolidation would ensure a coordinated approach to attracting local and international investors into key sectors such as agriculture, technology, energy, infrastructure and manufacturing.

According to him, the expanded mandate is aimed at streamlining processes, removing institutional bottlenecks and creating a more conducive environment for business growth and industrial expansion.

Our economic strategy is anchored on transparency, efficiency and strategic partnerships that will unlock productivity, generate jobs and drive inclusive prosperity for our people,” Aiyedatiwa added.

With the development, Francis will serve as the central figure in investment promotion and enterprise development in the state, a role expected to strengthen linkages between start-ups, small and medium-scale enterprises, and large-scale industrial projects.

Stakeholders at the summit, including policymakers, industry leaders and development partners, also pledged reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business, upgrading infrastructure and promoting innovation-driven growth.

The governor said the move signals a strategic shift towards making entrepreneurship and investment the cornerstone of the state’s sustainable development agenda.

He expressed optimism that the unified approach would translate policy objectives into measurable economic gains and position Ondo as a competitive investment hub in the South-West.

Culled from punch