The Oyo State Government will host the 2026 Oyo State International Trade Fair, EXPOYO 2026, from October 26 to November 1, at the Permanent International Trade Fair Complex, opposite Ventura, Sango–UI Road, Ibadan.
The fair, themed “Trade Without Borders: Connecting Oyo Entrepreneurs to Africa’s Business Opportunities,” will have its formal opening ceremony on Tuesday, October 27.
The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Professor Salihu Adelabu, announced this on Friday, October 23, expressing appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the event.
Adelabu said the trade fair was being organised in collaboration with the Oyo State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA) to promote economic growth, investment and indigenous enterprises.
He explained that the event would provide entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, artisans and traders with opportunities to showcase their products, establish business connections and explore markets within and outside Nigeria.
The commissioner reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with OYCCIMA and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the fair and strengthen Oyo State’s position as a destination for trade, investment and enterprise development.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olajide Mamud Okesade, described EXPOYO 2026 as an important platform for connecting businesses, building commercial relationships and showcasing the state’s economic potential.
The Chairman of the EXPOYO 2026 Organising Committee, Mr Salawu Wahab, said the committee was working to deliver an event that would provide exhibitors and visitors with opportunities for product promotion, business networking and access to wider markets.
The committee’s Vice Chairman, Chief Abiola Alli, called for stronger collaboration among government institutions to ensure effective coordination and broad participation.
The trade fair will also feature a raffle draw, with participants who purchase tickets standing a chance to win various prizes.
Meanwhile, the state government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the business environment as independent verification agents assessed the implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme at the ministry.
The exercise formed part of the SABER Year Three (2025) Annual Performance Assessment, with particular focus on the ministry’s grievance redress mechanism for business-related complaints.
The verification was aimed at examining the ministry’s records, processes and arrangements for receiving and addressing complaints from traders and other business operators.
Receiving the agents, Adelabu stressed the importance of accountability, effective service delivery and continuous improvement in the implementation of government reforms.
He commended Governor Makinde for supporting policies and initiatives designed to create an enabling environment for trade, investment and economic growth.
The verification agents, Mr Victor Odesola and Mr Emmanuel Kolade, said the exercise was intended to assess the ministry’s performance under the SABER Programme.
They expressed satisfaction with the efforts recorded so far and urged the ministry to sustain and improve its performance.
The agents also called for increased public awareness of the grievance redress mechanism to ensure that traders and business operators across the state knew how to report complaints.
