Agric hub: Oyo State to create over 100,000 jobs

The Oyo State Government has commenced the development of the Ijaiye Agribusiness Industrial Hub, a key project under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) aimed at boosting food security, creating over 100,000 jobs, and supporting more than 500,000 farmers across the state.

The sod-turning ceremony, held on Saturday at Atan Village in Akinyele Local Government, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, as well as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and Governor Seyi Makinde.

Speaking at the event, Vice President Shettima commended Governor Makinde for his commitment to agricultural transformation and reiterated the Federal Government’s support for making Oyo State a major agro-industrial hub in Nigeria. He stressed that the future of Nigeria lies in turning agriculture into a value-driven industrial sector.

Governor Makinde stated that the Ijaiye hub is part of his administration’s roadmap for sustainable development, aimed at repositioning agriculture as a commercial force. He said similar hubs in Fasola and Eruwa had already delivered significant economic benefits, with more planned for Ilora, Iresa-Adu, and Ipapo.

The governor noted that the Ijaiye hub would sit on 3,000 hectares of land, with 300 hectares dedicated to industrial development. He urged local communities to support the initiative and warned against land speculation, describing the project as a lifeline for rural prosperity.

AfDB President Dr Adesina praised Makinde’s leadership and revealed that the Fasola Agribusiness Hub had already attracted over ₦11 billion in private investment. He emphasized the importance of agro-industrial zones in linking primary production with processing and export.

The Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr Debo Akande, said the hub would host over 40 agro-industries and transform thousands of smallholder farmers into commercial producers, improving livelihoods and strengthening the state’s food supply chain.

Dignitaries at the event included top government officials, traditional rulers, federal and state lawmakers, and development partners. They all expressed confidence in the potential of the agribusiness hub to drive inclusive economic growth across Oyo State.