…VP, Adesina hail Oyo’s agribusiness model as Makinde vows to spread prosperity across zones
A major milestone was recorded in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic transformation drive as Vice President Kashim Shettima, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday performed the groundbreaking of the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub at Ijaiye, under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.
The ceremony, which held at Atan Village in Akinyele Local Government Area, drew stakeholders from across sectors, including top government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, agribusiness experts, and rural community leaders.
Representing Vice President Shettima, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, praised the Oyo State Government’s commitment to using agriculture as a foundation for economic empowerment. He stated that the Federal Government is fully backing the project, which he described as a transformative initiative capable of unlocking vast potentials in the state and beyond.
“The future of Nigeria lies in turning agriculture into a value-driven sector. What is happening here today is a symbol of the partnership between states and the Federal Government to drive that transformation,” Kyari said.
In his remarks, Governor Makinde declared the Ijaiye hub a clear demonstration of his administration’s dedication to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023-2027, which envisions agriculture as a commercial enterprise—not just subsistence—capable of creating jobs, attracting investors, and securing food systems.
“This groundbreaking event is not just symbolic—it’s a declaration that we are walking the talk. Agriculture must be about infrastructure, enterprise, and national relevance. Our agribusiness strategy is lifting our people from poverty to prosperity,” Makinde said.
The Ijaiye hub is the third of its kind after the Fasola and Eruwa agro-industrial hubs, with more planned for Ilora, Ipapo, and Iresa-Adu before Makinde’s tenure ends in 2027. The governor said only 3,000 of the 12,000 hectares of land at Ijaiye would be developed initially, with 300 hectares set aside for industrial activity.
Makinde noted that the success of the Fasola Agribusiness Hub, which has attracted over ₦11.1 billion in private sector investment, has validated the state’s model. He urged residents of Ijaiye to support the project and guard against land speculators.
“Young people are returning to the land, new businesses are forming, and poverty is giving way to prosperity. We expect the same outcome in Ijaiye,” the governor said.
AfDB President Adesina, in his address, commended Makinde’s “visionary and passionate leadership” in transforming old farm settlements into viable agribusiness clusters. He applauded the state’s ability to turn the moribund Fasola settlement into a thriving agribusiness hub, describing the governor as “action-driven” and “an efficient steward of the people’s trust.”
“Nigeria must become a global powerhouse in agriculture. The SAPZs are the pathway to achieving that,” Adesina stated. “We at the AfDB have committed $934 million to SAPZs in 11 African countries, and Nigeria is at the forefront.”
He lauded President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and Finance Minister Wale Edun for their support in driving the SAPZ initiative, while reaffirming the bank’s continued investment in Oyo State’s agricultural development.
Dr Abdul Kamara, AfDB’s Director-General for Nigeria, reiterated the institution’s support for the speedy execution of the Ijaiye hub, saying it aligns with the AfDB’s rural transformation strategy and the goal of enhancing food systems across Africa.
National Project Coordinator for SAPZ, Dr Kabir Yusuf, explained that the hub would process indigenous commodities, reducing the export of raw produce and retaining more value within Nigeria’s borders.
Dr Debo Akande, Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), noted that over 40 agricultural industries would be hosted in the new hub, generating over 100,000 jobs and supporting more than 500,000 farmers, with the potential to elevate them into medium- and large-scale producers.
“This is about turning rural communities into agro-industrial towns connected to urban markets. We are changing lives,” Akande said.
Also speaking, Director-General of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr Simeon Ehui, and the Chairman of Ijaiye Farm Settlers, Chief Olatunji, expressed support for the project and gratitude to the Makinde administration for its groundbreaking efforts.
Dignitaries at the event included former Military Governor of Oyo State, General Oladayo Popoola (rtd); Deputy Governor Barr. Bayo Lawal; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governors, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Also present were Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; and top members of the executive council, local government chairpersons, and traditional rulers.
