THE YORUBAS ARE NIGERIA’S MOST POLITICALLY INTENTIONAL PEOPLE.

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

By Ugoji Maximillian

THE YORUBAS ARE NIGERIA’S MOST POLITICALLY INTENTIONAL PEOPLE. HERE IS THE HISTORY WE MUST STUDY!

One thing Nigerians must learn from the political history of the Yoruba people is the connection between political power, economic planning, investment and regional development.

Look beyond party politics and ethnic arguments.

Study the institutions they built, the investments they attracted and the economic opportunities that emerged from decades of strategic planning.

Let us examine the facts.

1. CHIEF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO: THE FOUNDATION OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC PLANNING

When Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the Action Group assumed power in the Western Region in 1952, their ambition went beyond winning elections.

They pursued free primary education, expanded healthcare, developed roads and established institutions to stimulate industrial growth.

His administration established the Western Nigeria Development Corporation to promote commercial and industrial investments.

Other landmark achievements associated with that era included:

• Western Nigeria Television, established in 1959.
• Liberty Stadium in Ibadan.
• Cocoa House in Ibadan, completed in 1965.
• Industrial development around Ikeja.
• Housing estates in Ikeja and Bodija, Ibadan.

These were not merely political slogans.

They were efforts to build human capital, infrastructure and productive economic institutions.

The lesson?

Political power becomes more meaningful when it is converted into institutions that generate long-term economic value.

Historical records from the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation and Odu’a Investment Company document this development philosophy.

2. ODU’A INVESTMENT COMPANY: A REGIONAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTION

In 1976, Odu’a Investment Company Limited was established following the creation of new states from the old Western State.

Today, it is owned by the six South-West states: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti.

Its investment interests span real estate, agriculture, hospitality, industry and financial services.

Its corporate family includes Wemabod Limited and Lagos Airport Hotel, while it also has interests in businesses such as Wema Bank and Lafarge.

Think about the significance of this arrangement.

Six states have an institution through which they can hold assets, pursue investments and preserve some elements of a shared regional economic legacy.

That is an important lesson in institution-building and regional cooperation.
Of course, an investment institution must also be judged by its financial performance, transparency and ability to create value. Its existence alone does not guarantee success.

3. LAGOS: TURNING LOCATION INTO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Lagos did not become Nigeria’s commercial centre overnight.

Its coastal location, port activities, concentration of businesses, large consumer market and connections to national and international trade helped create the conditions for sustained investment.

Consider the scale of the economic infrastructure associated with Lagos and its surrounding industrial corridor:

•> Lekki Deep Sea Port: A major privately financed port designed to expand cargo-handling capacity and international trade.

• Dangote Petroleum Refinery: A massive industrial investment in the Lekki Free Zone, with a stated capacity of 700,000 barrels per day following its 2026 capacity upgrade.
• Lekki Free Zone: An industrial and investment corridor designed to accommodate manufacturing, logistics and other commercial activities.
• Apapa Port and Tin Can Island Port: Long-standing gateways for Nigeria’s maritime trade.
• Lagos–Ibadan Expressway: A major transport corridor connecting Lagos with Ogun and Oyo states and facilitating the movement of people and goods.

These projects have different owners, funding arrangements and government histories.

They should not all be credited to one ethnic group or one administration.

Nevertheless, they demonstrate why a region’s ability to attract, accommodate and connect investment matters.

4 THE SOUTH-WEST’S POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES

The South-West has produced influential political leaders across different parties and administrations.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other prominent figures have shaped political debates about governance, regional interests and economic development.

Their policies, political circumstances and records differ.

But the broader question deserves serious attention:

How can political influence be translated into infrastructure, jobs, industrial development and enduring institutions?

The Lagos–Ibadan Rail Line, Lekki Deep Sea Port and other major infrastructure projects also illustrate how federal decisions, state-level planning and private capital can interact to create economic opportunities.

Every opportunity the Yorubas get, they use it to attract investments to their region.

But look at the North that have been ruling Nigeria since , what could they do with power?

Jonathan had six years and couldn’t even build good roads in Bayelsa.

I hope we learn from this people.

Don’t envy them.

Learn from their wisdom.

Ugoji Maximillian Teacher of systems. Translator of power. Builder of elite mindset. Speaker Author and Entrepreneur. MD Greenfuture Investments: a real estate investment company that supports Nigerians in the diaspora to make safe and profitable real estate investments.

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