Oyo Govt Unveils Data, Identity Card Scheme, Reaffirms Commitment to EXPOYO 2026

The Oyo State Government has commenced a data capture and identity card registration exercise for traders, artisans, cooperative members and industrialists across the state’s 33 local government areas, with each beneficiary expected to pay ₦1,000 for the identification card.

The Commissioner for Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, Prof. Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the ministry in Ibadan.

He said the exercise was designed to create a credible database for economic planning and improve access to government interventions.

Adelabu said “the Oyo State government could not effectively plan for traders, artisans, cooperatives and industrialists without reliable information on their number and distribution.”

He disclosed that Global Sight Services Limited had been engaged to coordinate the data capture and production of the identity cards.

Also speaking the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olajide Mamud Okesade, said the identity card would contain modern security and verification features, including a QR code and chip.

He added that “the cards were expected to be ready within one month of registration, while the consultant would visit markets, associations and business clusters across the state.”

The consultant, Dayo Bello, said the registration would be linked to verified information, including National Identification Numbers and Bank Verification Numbers, to reduce duplication, fraudulent claims and inaccurate records.

He said the cards would be produced in ATM-card format and linked to beneficiaries’ verified bank accounts, while the ₦1,000 payment would be made into the beneficiary’s account.

Meanwhile, the state government has reaffirmed its commitment to hosting EXPOYO 2026, with the Commissioner disclosing that a fresh memorandum was being prepared for Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The development followed administrative processes that delayed the earlier proposed date for the trade fair.

The Vice President of the Oyo State Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Abiola Alli, had appealed for the early approval of EXPOYO 2026, proposed for the last week of October.

He said early confirmation of the date would enable exhibitors, investors and development partners to make adequate preparations, while the Commissioner urged OYCCIMA to strengthen its role in investment promotion, economic advocacy and generation of sector-specific data to support government planning