Shettima, Adesina join Makinde to launch Oyo Agribusiness Industrial Hub

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde have jointly performed the groundbreaking for the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub in Ijaiye, under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative. The event, held in Atan Village, Akinyele Local Government Area on Saturday, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Representing the Vice-President, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, praised Governor Makinde for his commitment to repositioning agriculture in Oyo State.

He noted that the Ijaiye project would create jobs, unlock investment, and drive rural development through strategic collaboration between federal and state governments, development partners, and the private sector.

Governor Makinde described the project as a fulfillment of his administration’s commitment to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023–2027. He emphasized that the Ijaiye Hub—like the Fasola and Eruwa hubs before it—will commercialize agriculture, empower youths, attract investors, and boost local economies.

He revealed that the 12,000 hectares of land at Ijaiye, acquired during the Western Region era, would now be developed for agribusiness, starting with 3,000 hectares. Of that, 300 hectares will be dedicated to industrial activities. Makinde assured that three additional hubs—Ipapo, Ilora, and Iresa-Adu—would be designed and handed over before the end of his tenure in 2027.

AfDB President Dr. Adesina commended Makinde for breathing new life into old farm settlements like Fasola, which now boasts over N11 billion in private investment. He emphasized the role of SAPZs in connecting primary agricultural production to processing, value addition, and markets—transforming rural areas into economic growth centers.

The AfDB’s Director-General in Nigeria, Dr. Abdul Kamara, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting the Oyo agribusiness model. He said the initiative aligns with AfDB’s goal of driving food security, agricultural industrialization, and rural transformation across Africa. He described the Ijaiye hub as a catalyst for unlocking Oyo State’s agrarian potential.

The National Coordinator of the SAPZ project, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, explained that the hub would process commodities grown by smallholder and commercial farmers in the state, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing market value. He noted that it would help keep more agricultural revenue within Nigeria by producing finished goods rather than exporting raw materials.

In his remarks, Director-General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Debo Akande, disclosed that the hubs would accommodate over 40 agribusinesses, generate over 100,000 jobs, and benefit more than 500,000 farmers.

The event attracted top dignitaries including lawmakers, traditional leaders, development partners, and former state officials, who lauded the government’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and rural revitalization.