Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed the transformational power of the Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ), describing it as a strategic initiative that will reshape the state’s economic future, attract investments, create wealth, and foster sustainable development.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB), led by Chief Development Economist Ms Rosemond Offei-Awuku, and the Federal Ministry of Finance, led by Dr (Mrs) Oyebola Akande, the Governor said the EKZ project is anchored on the intellectual strength of the Ekiti people and is poised to position the state as Nigeria’s hub for knowledge-based enterprise.
Governor Oyebanji noted that the EKZ is not an accidental initiative but a deliberate project sustained through continuity in governance, adding that his administration is building on the foundation laid by his predecessor. He stated, “If Ekiti is regarded as the knowledge capital of Nigeria, then that must count for something — it should translate to prosperity, support industries, and lead to development.”
He emphasized that the project aligns with global trends where knowledge, innovation, and intellectual capital are the main drivers of industrialization and wealth creation. The Governor also urged AfDB to consider revising its procurement model from a strictly lowest-bidder approach to one that prioritizes quality, sustainability, and long-term value.
Reassuring both the AfDB and the Federal Government of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the timely and value-driven execution of the project, Governor Oyebanji described EKZ as a potential game changer not only for Ekiti State but for Nigeria as a whole.
In her response, AfDB’s Chief Development Economist, Ms Rosemond Offei-Awuku, expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded on the project. She commended the state government’s dedication to building a knowledge-based economy and highlighted EKZ’s potential to become a magnet for innovation and intellectual investment across Nigeria and Africa.
Dr (Mrs) Oyebola Akande, representing the Federal Ministry of Finance, praised Governor Oyebanji for his visionary leadership and the state’s focus on intellectual capital. She reiterated the Federal Government’s support and noted that the EKZ, once operational, would boost innovation, technology advancement, research, and education not only in Ekiti but across the country.
The visit is part of a week-long supervisory mission to monitor progress on the Ekiti Knowledge Zone project. Members of the Project Implementation Unit for EKZ also joined in the meeting.
