What appeared to be an ordinary corporate commissioning in Ibadan turned into a significant gathering of political, business and traditional leadership, as Governor Seyi Makinde shared the stage with prominent traditional rulers — including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
For many observers, the presence of the traditional leaders was notable, particularly that of the Olubadan of Ibadan, whose attendance added considerable traditional and cultural weight to the occasion.
The gathering took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during the commissioning of the new global headquarters of CapitalSage Holdings in Ibadan, an event that also marked the company’s 10th anniversary. The ceremony attracted business leaders, investors, government officials and traditional rulers, including the Soun of Ogbomoso and the Deji of Akure.
Makinde: Nigeria Needs Production, Not Just Natural Resources
Governor Makinde, in a statement shared on his Facebook page, congratulated CapitalSage Holdings on reaching a decade of business growth and described the company’s expansion as an example of what entrepreneurship and private-sector investment can achieve.
He stressed that Nigeria’s abundant natural resources alone would not be enough to move the country from poverty to prosperity.
According to the governor, the country must focus more intensely on entrepreneurship, skills, knowledge, innovation and productive activities capable of creating jobs and generating sustainable economic value.
Makinde also thanked the CapitalSage team for taking entrepreneurial risks and investing in the local economy.
He said his administration would continue to support the company in succeeding in Ibadan, just as the state has supported other businesses, including Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Ltd, Psaltry International and Nutlinks Ltd.
CapitalSage: A Decade of Expansion
The commissioning represents another milestone for CapitalSage Holdings, which has evolved from its beginnings in micro-lending into a diversified business group with interests spanning financial technology, agribusiness, FMCG, healthcare and other areas of economic activity.
CapitalSage says its operations are focused on building businesses that create economic opportunities, strengthen communities and contribute to sustainable development across Africa. Its portfolio includes financial and technology businesses, agricultural and FMCG operations, healthcare services and other ventures.
The company’s agribusiness operations, for instance, cover activities ranging from agricultural production and processing to manufacturing and commodity trading, reflecting the growing importance of value addition within Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
The group’s 10th-anniversary programme, tagged “10Xcellence,” includes the unveiling of its new headquarters at CapitalSage House on Kenneth Dike, Secretariat Road, Ibadan, followed by a three-day exhibition from October 29 to 31. The exhibition is expected to showcase the group’s businesses, products and services across different sectors.
A Bigger Message for Ibadan
Beyond the commissioning itself, the event carried a broader message about Ibadan’s potential as a destination for serious private-sector investment.
Makinde argued that Ibadan has the potential to compete with Lagos for major investments if the city and the state continue to strengthen entrepreneurship, skills development, knowledge and productive enterprise.
The convergence of political leadership, traditional institutions and private-sector stakeholders at the CapitalSage event therefore offered a powerful picture of what collaboration between government, business and traditional institutions could look like.
For Ibadan, the establishment and expansion of a major indigenous business group within the city is another indication that the ancient city can play a greater role in Nigeria’s emerging enterprise and investment landscape.
And perhaps, more importantly, the gathering showed that when business, government and traditional leadership come together around investment and economic development, the conversation can move beyond politics and ceremony — towards production, jobs, innovation and prosperity.
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