When the phrase Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is mentioned in Nigeria, it’s hard not to think of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki. His tenure was marked by a flurry of MoUs that, in the eyes of many, amounted to ceremonial handshakes with little to show for them. Yet, not all MoUs are created equal, and Governor Monday Okpebholo seeks to prove just that.
Obaseki earned the title “MoU Governor” because of a glaring disconnect between his agreements and tangible outcomes. His administration inked deals that promised prosperity but ultimately gathered dust in government archives. These MoUs, no doubt, were ambitious on paper but lacked execution and impact, and this leaves citizens frustrated by unmet promises.
Governor Okpebholo, on the other hand, has positioned himself as a “practical governor.” During a recent inspection of projects in Benin City, he assured reporters that he’s an action governor, not an MoU leader. His criticism of his predecessor wasn’t aimed at the concept of MoUs itself but at their failure to deliver. For Okpebholo, an MoU is a tool, not a trophy. It’s the first step in a journey, not the destination.
The real distinction between the two leaders lies in execution. If Governor Okpebholo’s statement tells of a leader who is ready to back his MoUs with clear timelines, transparency, and results, and as such ready transform the present skepticism of our people into trust. Unlike Obaseki’s tenure, where MoUs seemed like hollow promises, Okpebholo’s approach suggests that agreements must lead to measurable progress which was what we saw when he inspected road projects within 70 days in office.
Let’s even take sometime to revisit some of Obaseki’s high-profile but ultimately fruitless and worthless MoUs to understand what Okpebholo has vowed to avoid.
Let’s start with SIEMENS. In 2017, an MoU to develop Edo’s economy through power, transportation, education, and industrialization was signed. Eight years later, SIEMENS is nowhere to be found in Edo State. Gelegele or Benin seaport was signed in 2018. The former governor signed an MoU with China Harbour for the development of this seaport but, it remains a mirage.
Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc was another one and this happened in 2019. This MoU promised to make Edo State a hub for affordable housing. Yet, no substantial progress has been seen. Am sure we all remember the MoU on University of Innovation which was signed in 2020. This MoU with the Malaysian government was to establish this institution in Benin City but where is it now?
How many of us know Sunora Foods? This MoU aimed to attract $100 million in foreign direct investment and create 25,000 jobs. Neither the investment nor the jobs materialized. And then, there was the Oando Clean Energy Limited, a partnership to deploy electric buses for better transportation. No electric buses ever arrived Edo state.
On the agricultural sector, there was an MoU with Heifer International Ltd and Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd which promised to boost poultry production and food security. These projects failed to take flight under the wasteful years of Obaseki.
In total, Obaseki’s administration signed over 100 MoUs, spanning various sectors. However, the promises of transformative change remained largely unfulfilled. This is what Governor Okpebholo is taking about and where he will make a difference.
And so, as Edo state moves forward under Governor Okpebholo, it’s imperative to evaluate these past agreements and the question to ask ourselves should be: are these MoUs viable? Were they abandoned? Most importantly, what lessons can be learned? The governor should ensure that any MoU signed during Obaseki’s tenure is in line with Edo’s developmental goals and that it serves the people’s best interests, otherwise, they should all be revoked.
Although, I agree that the past cannot be rewritten, but I am optimistic that the future can be reshaped. If Okpebholo’s MoUs bring real results, he will set a new standard for governance in Edo State. After all, the value of an MoU lies not in the ink on the paper but in the action that follows. May Okpebholo succeed, and may Edo state be better for it.
