Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled plans to reposition the state as Nigeria’s leading rubber producer and a major hub for rubber processing, industrial development and investment.
Okpebholo said the state would leverage its rich history in rubber production to promote value addition, create jobs and expand economic opportunities for farmers and young people.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yakubu Musa, stated this on Tuesday at the International Rubber Research and Development Board (IRRDB) Fellowship, Training and International Rubber Conference held in Benin City, Edo State.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Akhere Ebojele, Okpebholo described the conference as an opportunity to strengthen international collaboration, exchange knowledge and explore innovative ways of harnessing the rubber industry for economic growth and sustainable development.
The governor noted that Edo State had a long-standing position in the global rubber industry, with an estimated 40,000 hectares of land under rubber cultivation, major estates and thousands of smallholder farmers.
“Rubber is part of our economic heritage, and we are determined to translate that heritage into renewed hope and prosperity,” he said.
Okpebholo explained that his administration was determined to move the state beyond the production of raw rubber to value addition and industrial processing, which he said would generate employment and create greater economic opportunities for local farmers and young people.
He stressed that achieving the ambition would require modern research, improved farming practices, sustainable production methods, private-sector investment and stronger partnerships among government institutions, academia and industry players.
The governor also highlighted the roles of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria and the IRRDB in promoting research, improving production techniques and strengthening the competitiveness of the rubber industry.
He urged participants at the conference to develop practical solutions, establish lasting partnerships and attract investments capable of delivering tangible benefits beyond the event.
Okpebholo further invited international delegates and investors to explore opportunities in Edo State’s agricultural and industrial sectors, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and innovation.
The conference attracted delegates from the IRRDB’s 23 member countries, alongside researchers, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders from across the world.
Welcoming the delegates, the governor expressed optimism that the gathering would deepen international cooperation and support the development of a more productive, sustainable and competitive rubber industry.
“Edo’s rubber legacy is our foundation; innovation is our pathway; and global leadership is our ambition,” he said.
The governor expressed hope that the conference would strengthen global partnerships and help unlock the economic potential of Edo State’s rubber industry.
