APC aspirant pledges to unlock Ondo’s ‘bitumen goldmine’ for industrial growth
A contender for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency, Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, has vowed to transform the economic landscape of Ondo State by tapping
A contender for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency, Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, has vowed to transform the economic landscape of Ondo State by tapping into its dormant bitumen and cocoa wealth.
The former Executive Secretary of the West Africa Economic Summit Secretariat made this pledge in Abuja after submitting her expression of interest and nomination forms.
Accompanied by a powerhouse coalition of grassroots mobilisers and women leaders, Fajemirokun-Ajayi argued that the constituency’s vast resources have long suffered from a lack of strategic representation.
Central to her blueprint is the industrialisation of the Odigbo area, which sits on one of the world's largest bitumen deposits. She noted that while the resources are world-class, the local impact has been minimal.
"The Ore corridor moves more daily traffic than any single Nigerian airport. Odigbo sits atop one of the world's largest bitumen deposits. Ile-Oluji anchors a cocoa belt that contributes to Ondo State's twenty-five percent share of national cocoa output—a crop that earned Nigeria over N3.6 trillion in a single year," she stated.
Fajemirokun-Ajayi lamented the disconnect between the region’s potential and its current reality, stating, "The resources exist. The representation has not matched them."
Drawing from her professional background as a former Senior Special Adviser to the immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the aspirant highlighted her history of facilitating over $150 million in investment pipelines.
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“I have spent years working at the intersection of policy, investment, and governance. What matters is ensuring that this experience translates into real outcomes for our people across Ile-Oluji, Oke-Igbo, and Odigbo, with representation that is present, responsive, and delivers,” she said.
Addressing the gender disparity in Nigerian politics, Fajemirokun-Ajayi positioned her candidacy as a bridge for underrepresented groups. She emphasized that her mission through the "Read2Succeed Africa" initiative already demonstrates her commitment to local impact.
Regarding the state of the legislature, she noted, “There is clearly a shortage of women in key elective positions, including the National Assembly. That must change. Representation should reflect all segments of society, and when given the opportunity, women have the capacity to represent effectively and inclusively.”
As the APC primary approaches, Fajemirokun-Ajayi reminded stakeholders that the upcoming election is a referendum on progress.
“Every election cycle presents an opportunity for the people to decide whether they are satisfied with the status quo or ready for something new. Democracy is about the people, and they will make that decision. Our responsibility is to show that women and young people can step forward, lead, and deliver on the mandates given to them,” she concluded.
