Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State says the state is prepared to partner with local and international investors to accelerate economic growth and expand opportunities across key sectors.
Aiyedatiwa stated this on Monday in Akure while delivering a keynote address at an end-of-year programme organised by Johnvents Group, an indigenous agribusiness firm.
He said his administration had introduced deliberate policies aimed at positioning the state as a competitive destination for agribusiness, technology, manufacturing and energy-related investments.
According to him, the government has undertaken reforms in ease of doing business, expanded digitisation of public processes, improved infrastructure, and strengthened security architecture to attract and sustain private-sector participation.
Aiyedatiwa commended Johnvents Group for its growth and contributions to the state economy, describing the company as a model for how homegrown enterprises could evolve into global brands.
“Johnvents stands today as a monument to what focused investment and structured institutional support can achieve. With more than ten factories, over 1,500 direct employees, thousands of benefiting households, and an ecosystem of more than 5,000 farmers, the company is living proof that prosperity becomes inevitable when ingenuity meets institutional support,” he said.
He added that the achievements of the firm reflect the readiness of Ondo State to host new investments and compete globally.
In his remarks, Mr. Tarun Chawla, Group Executive Director of Johnvents, appreciated the state government for creating a stable and structured environment that enables businesses to grow.
Chawla said the year had reshaped the organisation, strengthened its operations, and widened its relevance within the global value chain.
He cited the clarity and stability provided by the state government as the foundation on which companies like Johnvents continue to innovate and expand.
Chawla also expressed gratitude to the Group’s partners, including British International Investment (BII), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), AFRIEXIM Bank and other financial institutions for supporting the company’s long-term vision.
He reaffirmed the company’s commitment to contributing to food systems across Africa and other regions, noting that Johnvents now has investments and collaborations across Africa, the UAE, Asia and Europe.
The news reports that Johnvents Group, inaugurated in 2021 during the administration of the late Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, was established to strengthen the cocoa value chain and promote agro-industrial growth in the state.
In 2024, the International Finance Corporation approved a 23.3-million-dollar financing package for the company to expand its cocoa processing capacity and boost exports to international markets.
The Group Managing Director, Mr. John Alamu, said the firm entered the cocoa sector with a mandate to add value and promote transformation within the state’s agribusiness economy.