Page 11 - UUBO PE Summit Brochure

KEYNOTE ADDRESS
FOSTERING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTMENT IN NIGERIA

OTUNBA NIYI ADEBAYO,
HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Following his inauguration by President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR, on August 21, 2019, Otunba
Richard Adeniyi Adebayo, CON, became Nigeria's 32nd Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to
oversee government's goal of economic diversification to non-oil revenue earnings.

As the number one investment driver of Nigeria, Adebayo is leading the promotion of government's
policies of Ease of Doing Business, job creation, poverty eradication and industrialization.
The Minister has been implementing certain policies and programmes including: standardization of
bilateral trade agreements, stimulating growth of domestic Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,
MSMEs and renewed roadmap to increase Nigeria's Foreign Direct Investment, FDIs.
Born on February 4, 1958, Adebayo had built a Business and Legal Career spanning about forty
years. His experience is extensive in areas such as: Project Finance, Oil and Gas, Commercial Law and
Business Facilitation.
He was educated at the Corona School, Yaba, Lagos, (1962-1968), University of Lagos Staff School
(1968-1969), C.M.S Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos ( 1969-1974), Davies Tutors, Hove, Sussex,
England (1975-1977) and University of Lagos (1977-1981) where he studied Law.

He is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, International Bar Association, The Nigeria Institute of
Management, a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Administration and a Director of the Nigeria
Sickle Cell Foundation. He is also a member of The Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigeria.

He became the First Executive Governor of his home State, Ekiti in May 29, 1999 where he laid the
remarkable foundation for development strides. He was also the Pioneer Secretary of the Nigeria
Governors' Forum, NGF.
A core chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), the Minister held office of the Interim
National Vice Chairman South West and Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party.
Happily married with children and grandchildren, Adebayo's hobbies include Lawn Tennis and
Football.

He is also a receiver of the Nigeria National Honour Award, Commander of the Order of the Niger
(CON).

11