Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has declared that Nigerians are currently passing through a tough period.

The governor, who spoke on Monday, insisted that things are not going the way it was planned.

Makinde made these declarations while speaking during the opening of Oyo State International Trade Fair known as “EXPOYO 2024”.

The governor while speaking on the theme of the event “Showcasing the Economic Potentials of Oyo State Through Agriculture, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises,” maintained that Nigerians are currently passing through a very tough period.

Makinde lamented that things are not going the way it should be.

He, however, said this is not the time to give up.

The governor said to that it is now time to look at opportunities, because opportunities are always lurking in the corner when there are challenges

The governor declared that all hands must be on deck to repair the economy rather than trade blames.

He said that one of the ways to achieve such repair is for the country to shift its focus to export orientation instead of import substitution.

“This is a very tough period for us as a country. Economically, things are not going the way we want but this is not the time to give up.

“It is the time to look at opportunities, because opportunities are always lurking in the corner when there are challenges.

“For us in Oyo State, we are not giving up. I can see notable industrialists here. It is about time we changed our orientation. People will talk about what we produce in Nigeria and showcase the economic potential of Oyo State.

“We are not interested only in things that we will consume locally in Oyo State. Import substitution means you are looking at only your own market. export orientation means we want to produce here and sell to the world and earn the necessary foreign exchange.”