Makinde, who spoke at the inauguration ceremony, praised the company for its contributions to job creation, entrepreneurship and economic development, describing private-sector investment as a critical driver of prosperity.
He noted that Nigeria's vast natural resources could only translate into meaningful economic progress when supported by entrepreneurship, skills development, innovation and the knowledge required to transform opportunities into productive ventures.
The governor particularly welcomed CapitalSage's decision to establish its global headquarters in Ibadan, pointing out that the group now comprises approximately 20 companies, all headquartered in the Oyo State capital.
According to him, the concentration of the businesses in Ibadan presents significant opportunities for employment generation, investment and the expansion of economic activities across the state.
“When I was looking at your profile, I saw that you now have about 20 companies in the group. And those 20 companies are headquartered here. I can assure you that we will continue to give our support as a government because we want you to continue to provide jobs and grow the economy of Oyo State,” the governor said.
Makinde also congratulated the group's founder, John Alamu, and his management team for their determination and willingness to take entrepreneurial risks in building a business with growing national and international ambitions.
He described the decision to venture into business as a courageous step that ultimately creates opportunities for society, particularly through employment and economic expansion.
“Somebody has to take the risk on behalf of the people, so John Alamu and team, I congratulate you. I thank you for taking the risk on our behalf,” he added.
The anniversary celebration attracted prominent traditional rulers, including the Ooni of Ife, the Olubadan of Ibadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso, alongside business associates, customers, employees and other stakeholders who gathered to celebrate the company's decade of operations.
Founded by Alamu with an initial capital of N100,000, CapitalSage has evolved into a diversified Nigerian business group with interests across several sectors, including financial services and technology, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, healthcare and cross-border payment solutions.
Its growth over the past decade reflects an expansion strategy built around developing businesses that respond to emerging market needs while creating opportunities within Nigeria and beyond.
The inauguration of the global headquarters represents another significant milestone in the group's development, reinforcing its ambition to build internationally competitive enterprises while retaining strong connections to its Nigerian origins.
Speaking at the event, Alamu said the company's journey demonstrated that Nigerian entrepreneurs could establish businesses with global ambitions without losing their local identity or commitment to their communities.
He emphasised that the group's vision was rooted in the belief that businesses established in Nigeria could compete internationally and contribute meaningfully to Africa's economic transformation.
“A business can have global ambitions without abandoning its roots. From Ibadan, we can build for Nigeria. From Nigeria, we can build for Africa. And from Africa, we can build for the world,” Alamu said.
Looking ahead, the founder explained that CapitalSage's priorities for the next decade would extend beyond increasing the number of businesses under its umbrella to building stronger, more resilient and sustainable enterprises capable of creating lasting value for future generations.
He stressed the importance of developing institutions that could withstand changing economic conditions, deepen their market presence and continue delivering meaningful services to customers and communities.
The anniversary programme featured the formal opening of the new headquarters, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and presentations highlighting the various companies operating under the CapitalSage Group.
As part of activities marking the milestone, the company is also hosting a three-day public exhibition from October 29 to 31 at CapitalSage House, Kenneth Dike, Secretariat Road, Ibadan.
The exhibition, which opens daily at 10 a.m., provides members of the public with an opportunity to explore the group's diverse businesses, products and services, while gaining insight into its operations and contributions across different sectors.
With the opening of its global headquarters and the completion of its first decade in business, CapitalSage is positioning itself for another phase of growth, with emphasis on expanding its operations, strengthening strategic partnerships and creating further economic opportunities through enterprise, innovation and investment.
The development also highlights Ibadan's growing potential as a destination for private-sector investment and a base for businesses seeking to expand their operations across Nigeria and international markets.