Osun chamber urges businesses to leverage govt incentives

File photo: Osun State Map

The Osun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture has urged business owners to take advantage of the incentives, programmes and policies introduced by the state government to grow their businesses rather than complain.

The First Vice President of OSUCCIMA, Mr Olugbenga Olateru, stated this on Tuesday in Osogbo during the unveiling of the prospectus for the 2026 Osun State Trade Fair.

Olateru, who is the Chairman of the 2026 Fair Planning Committee, said the government had put in place several incentives to support businesses, adding that citizens needed to take advantage of the opportunities available.

“Government has rolled out a lot of incentives, programmes and policies. It is now left for us as citizens to leverage what government is offering.

“Sometimes, when we engage with various associations, you discover that when it comes to what we are supposed to do, people tend to whittle down what the government really intends with the policy,” he said.

The committee chairman noted that while the government could improve in some areas, the chamber was committed to ensuring the success of both the government and the private sector.

“At the same time, that is not to say government cannot improve on some things. Some of us can offer useful ideas. But at our level, as the Chamber of Commerce, we want the success of both the government and the private sector,” Olateru added.

Speaking on this year’s trade fair, Olateru said the platform would stimulate trade, attract investment, strengthen local enterprises and promote sustainable economic development.

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He added that the theme of this year’s fair, “Enhancing Public-Private Partnerships Through Circular Economy for Sustainable Growth,” was carefully chosen to reflect Osun’s rich agricultural endowment, favourable climate, fertile soil and industrious farming communities.

The OSUCCIMA boss said the government alone could not drive economic growth, adding that private sector operators needed an enabling environment to thrive, making public-private partnerships imperative.

“We are calling on investors, entrepreneurs, farmers, agro-processors, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to seize the opportunities presented by the 2026 Osun State Trade Fair to unlock the state’s vast agricultural potential through strategic public-private partnerships and the adoption of circular economy principles,” Olateru said.

The PUNCH earlier reported that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, pledged stronger government support for business owners during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Osun Trade Fair, which featured exhibitors from across the country.

Adeleke also assured investors at the event that his administration would work to remove barriers hindering the acceptance and expansion of their products and services within the state and beyond.

Represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, the governor said the spirit of innovation, collaboration and enterprise showcased at the fair must be sustained.