By Olumide Adeluwoye

‎Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has attributed the improved financial position of state governments to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, warning that a return to fuel subsidy could plunge states into another era of borrowing to pay workers’ salaries.
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‎Aiyedatiwa stated this on Tuesday when the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, led a Federal Government delegation on a courtesy visit to him at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Akure.
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‎The visit was ahead of a town hall meeting with manufacturers and operators of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Ondo State.
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‎The Governor said increased revenue accruing to states following the removal of fuel subsidy had strengthened their capacity to meet financial obligations, clear inherited liabilities and execute capital projects without excessive borrowing.
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‎Recalling the financial challenges inherited by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration, Aiyedatiwa said the state had outstanding salary and gratuity arrears dating back to 2014, which he attributed to revenue constraints.
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‎He maintained that improved revenue had enabled his administration to settle outstanding obligations and embark on infrastructure projects without resorting to loans.
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‎The Governor warned that reversing the subsidy removal would erode the financial gains made by state governments and potentially return them to borrowing to meet salary obligations.
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‎He described the non-payment of gratuities to retirees after years of dedicated service as inhumane, stressing that workers deserved their entitlements after contributing to the development of the state.
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‎On infrastructure, Aiyedatiwa said his administration was prioritising road construction to connect farming communities with their farmsteads and ease the transportation of agricultural produce to urban markets.
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‎He also identified ongoing Federal Government road projects, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos-Epe-Ore corridor, Ore-Owo concrete-pavement road and projects along the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha axis as evidence of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.
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‎Describing President Tinubu as a wise master builder, the Governor urged Nigerians to support his re-election, saying another four years would enable him to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete the foundation already laid.
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‎Aiyedatiwa pledged to personally participate in the campaign and mobilise support across Ondo State.
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‎On entrepreneurship development, the Governor disclosed that more than 5,000 young entrepreneurs participated in the state’s 2026 entrepreneurship gathering, a turnout he said exceeded the capacity of the venue.
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‎He said the state government, through its microcredit and entrepreneurship agencies, was supporting artisans, small businesses and young entrepreneurs to expand their operations.
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‎He listed plantation operators, dairy producers, seedling producers and spice processors among beneficiaries of the various interventions, expressing optimism that the engagements would encourage more investments in the state.
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‎Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the limited presence of large-scale industries in Ondo State but assured prospective investors of his administration’s readiness to enter into memoranda of understanding with organisations willing to establish or expand their businesses.
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‎He further disclosed that land had been allocated for the proposed Presidential Fertiliser and Chemical project, which he said was at an advanced stage, with operations expected to meet demand by the fourth quarter of next year.
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‎Earlier, Senator John Owan Enoh pledged Federal Government support for Ondo State’s industrial and productive sectors, promising stronger collaboration through agencies under the Ministry of Industry.
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‎Enoh explained that the visit was part of the Manufacturing and MSME Directorate’s stakeholder engagement programme under the Presidential Campaign Council, designed to interact with manufacturers and business operators while showcasing the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
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‎He noted that Ondo was the second state to benefit from the engagement after Cross River, adding that the directorate had earlier held a town hall meeting with manufacturers and MSMEs on November 1.
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‎The Minister commended Aiyedatiwa’s infrastructure initiatives, emphasising that sustained investment in infrastructure was essential to industrial development, economic growth and increased productivity.
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‎He also identified inadequate communication of government policies and achievements as a major governance challenge, stressing the need to engage stakeholders and communicate the impact of ongoing reforms.
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‎Enoh thanked the Governor for his support and commitment to the Federal Government’s industrial development agenda.