Media Executive, Engr. Femi Sanni (Araba) has advocated a bold economic repositioning for Kwara State.
Engineer Sanni gave this indication while speaking after his arrival into the country from the UK where he attended Nigerian-UK business conference put together as part of events attending President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the country.
He called for a deliberate transition from a predominantly civil service-driven structure to a dynamic conference and business tourism destination.
Engr. Sanni said emerging indicators already point to the viability of this transformation
He cited the growing frequency of same-day return flights between Lagos and Ilorin by some airlines as clear evidence of increasing business traffic and the state’s rising relevance as a meeting point for commerce and engagement.
According to him, ongoing investments in critical infrastructure under Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq further strengthen Kwara’s readiness for this shift.
He referenced the simultaneous development of two conference centres alongside a five-star hotel, describing the projects as strategic steps toward creating a functional downtown ecosystem capable of hosting large-scale national and international events.
Engr. Sanni noted that such a transition would significantly diversify the state’s economy, stimulate job creation, and enhance internally generated revenue.
He added that, as a sub-national entity, Kwara stands to strengthen its contribution to Nigeria’s overall development, thereby justifying ongoing federal investments and support.
The Media Proprietor also emphasized the critical role of security in sustaining this vision, stressing that the integration of effective state policing mechanisms would help guarantee safety, drastically reduce insecurity, and inspire investor confidence.