The project, a key component of Governor Seyi Makinde’s agribusiness agenda, reflects a forward-thinking development model driven by subnational leadership, global partnerships, and institutional support from the Federal Government.
“This is not our first move,” said Governor Makinde at the event. “We began in Fasola, in the Oyo Zone, where twelve agribusinesses are already operational. We continued in Eruwa, in Ibarapa Zone. And now, we are here in Ibadan Zone, ensuring that the benefits of agribusiness development reach every region of our state.”
The Ijaiye SAPZ will span 300 hectares of a larger 3,000-hectare site that will also host a Rungis-style international agrifood wholesale market, alongside integrated crop and livestock production. Together, these initiatives will form a fully integrated Agribusiness Industrial Hub, combining production, processing, and distribution in one location.
Governor Makinde emphasized that the state’s agribusiness hubs are not isolated projects but are designed to be interconnected. “These hubs bring producers closer to processors and link farms to markets. They reflect our belief that agriculture is not just about food, it is about infrastructure, enterprise, and national relevance.”
A Deliberate and Strategic Journey
Dr. Debo Akande, Director General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), described the Ijaiye project as “the next phase of a journey we’ve already begun.”
“Fasola is functional, Eruwa is active, Ijaiye continues the momentum,” he said. “Our approach is intentional. we are building integrated hubs that are investor-friendly, farmer-accessible, and future-ready.”
Dr. Akande commended the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) for championing the SAPZ model across Africa and recognising Oyo State as a credible and capable implementation partner.
Adesina’s Vision Comes Full Circle
A key figure in the SAPZ narrative is Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB and former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture. Over a decade ago, Dr. Adesina introduced the concept of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones during his tenure, but the initiative didn’t take off nationally.
Today, he is bringing that vision to life across the continent, with Oyo State emerging as one of the flagship implementers.
“Oyo State is proving that long-term vision, when supported by the right partnerships, can deliver lasting change,” Dr. Adesina said during the event. He also thanked Nigeria’s current Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, the Vice President, and the President for supporting the SAPZ initiative, which is being implemented in eight states, with plans for 28 more.
Beyond Infrastructure: A Systems-Based Transformation
The Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub represents more than just physical development. It embodies a systems-based approach to rural transformation, job creation, economic diversification, and increased market access.
By attracting private investors and building on existing infrastructure, the state is charting a path that transcends pilot-phase interventions moving toward scalable, replicable development solutions.
Governor Makinde concluded with a statement that captured the spirit of the occasion:
“Let today’s event be a reminder to every citizen of Oyo State governance is not theory. It is action. And when we say we will deliver, we mean it.”
