Edo-Scotland Business Partnership Summit: A Bridge to Mutual Prosperity – Oboh-Macleod

By Sola Adepitan

The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has led a high-powered delegation to Glasgow, Scotland, for the Edo State Global Investment Business Summit which is scheduled to run from 20th to 22nd September 2025.

The pivotal initiative was proposed for fostering bilateral trade and business partnerships between Edo State, Nigeria, and Scotland, United Kingdom.

This significant summit was organised by the Edo State Diaspora Agency under the leadership of Dr Loretta Oduware Ogboro-Okor, the event aims to strengthen international partnerships, attract foreign investment, and showcase Edo State’s potential in key sectors such as agriculture, technology, energy, and infrastructure.

Chief Josephine Oboh-Macleod, a prominent member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) candidate who is of Nigerian descent, played a key role in this initiative. As the Chief Executive Officer of Jom Charity—an art and wellbeing charity dedicated to supporting the underprivileged in the Glasgow community—Oboh-Macleod blends her deep-rooted connections to Nigeria with her active engagement in Scottish politics and society. She holds the titles of Adonor of Emu Kingdom in Esan, Edo State, and Atayese of Ikateland, Elegushi in Lekki, Lagos State, underscoring her influence and commitment to fostering ties between her ancestral homeland and her adopted country.

In her speech on the first day of the summit, Oboh-Macleod expressed profound gratitude to Governor Okpebholo for his visionary leadership. She highlighted that the proposed bilateral trade initiative represents a substantial opportunity for both nations to utilise their unique strengths, fostering economic growth, driving job creation, and facilitating knowledge sharing. “This partnership is not just about trade; it’s about creating sustainable economic ecosystems that benefit both regions,” she remarked.

Oboh-Macleod outlined the multifaceted benefits of this partnership. “For Edo State, this initiative means expanded access to new and lucrative markets for our agricultural products, rich natural resources, and vibrant creative industries. Simultaneously, Scotland stands to gain from engaging with Edo State’s young, dynamic population, eager to contribute to the global economy,” she noted. She stressed the importance of forming collaborations rooted in mutual respect and reciprocity, rather than dependency.

She passionately urged the Edo people to seize this historic opportunity to showcase their creativity, skills, and entrepreneurial spirit. To the people of Scotland, she advised seeing Edo State not merely as a market but as a valuable global partner with immense potential, diverse culture, and numerous opportunities waiting to be explored.

Oboh-Macleod reiterated the mutual benefits that would arise from this collaboration—such as providing new markets for Edo State’s agricultural products and natural resources, granting Scotland access to a youthful population brimming with innovation, promoting job creation, and facilitating knowledge exchange. She emphasised that this partnership aims to craft a sustainable future grounded in mutual respect and collaborative benefit.

A Bright Future

“As we embark on this transformative journey, I am confident that our partnership will thrive, ushering in prosperity for both nations. I extend my best wishes to everyone involved in this initiative, hoping for continued success and abundant blessings” she said.

Oboh-Macleod concluded by expressing her earnest wishes for Governor Okpebholo’s success in this ambitious venture. She firmly believes that this partnership will not only uplift Edo families worldwide but also present valuable opportunities for the Scottish people and their businesses. “Together, Edo and Scotland can exemplify that when communities connect with trust and a shared vision, there are no limits to what we can achieve,” she declared.