President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday approved the Ekiti Knowledge Zone’s application to become a Free Trade Zone, transforming Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, into a significant economic hub.
The approval came after the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, asked President Buhari for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone to be designated as a free zone.
The approval of the request was conveyed in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, entitled: “RE: Recommendation For Approval and Designation of Free Trade Zone Status in Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) Situated on 208.949 Hectares of Land Located Ado-Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State,” addressed to the Minister.
The letter made available to Journalists in Ado-Ekiti by the Special Assistant to Hon Minister, Ifedayo Sayo, reads in part, “I refer to your letter Ref.No., FMITI/CED/4748/Vol1 dated 22 February 2023 on the above subject
“kindly note that Mr President has granted free zone status approval for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone located along Ado-Ijan road, Ekiti State on a parcel of land measuring approximately 208.949HA with coordinates 8042765.02m’N;761’ 244.963m’ E, in accordance with Section 1 (1) of the NEPZA Act Cap. N107 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004”.