With less than two years left in office, Governor Seyi Makinde is reshaping Oyo State into a budding agribusiness hub, a move that has drawn applause from the federal government and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The initiative, centered on the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub and Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, marks a shift from subsistence farming to a commercial model aimed at creating jobs, attracting investment and securing food systems.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, underscored the national significance of Oyo’s initiative. He said Nigeria’s future depends on transforming agriculture into value-added products that can drive industries, generate employment and uplift farmers.
“The project will also serve as a strategic partnership between Oyo, other states, and the federal government, unlocking vast opportunities for residents,” he noted, assuring that the federal government would support Oyo in becoming a key agricultural hub. Governor Makinde described the Ijaiye Agribusiness Industrial Hub as proof of his administration’s commitment to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023–2027.
Makinde explained, “The Ijaiye Agribusiness Industrial Hub is not just about farming, it is about jobs, investment, and a stronger economy. Our hubs, from Fasola to Eruwa and now Ijaiye, show that agriculture is a commercial force, not a subsistence activity,” He noted that agribusiness hubs are designed as anchors in the state’s ecosystem, linking producers to processors and markets. Fasola’s transformation, he noted, has turned poverty into prosperity, with young people returning to farms and businesses springing up.
Furthermore, Makinde highlighted that Oyo is reviving old farm settlements from the Western Region era, developing them into industrial-scale hubs. At Ijaiye, 3,000 hectares of land are earmarked for development, with 300 hectares dedicated to industrial facilities. “Our vision is for every geopolitical zone in Oyo State to benefit from agribusiness hubs. By 2027, designs for hubs in Ilora, Ipapo and Iresa-Adu will be ready for the next administration. Opportunity is knocking and this time, it is local. Today is about promises kept,” stated Makinde.
AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina hailed Makinde’s leadership, describing him as “visionary, passionate and action-driven.” He praised the Fasola Agribusiness Hub, now hosting over ₦11.1 billion in private investment, as proof that Oyo’s model works.“Agriculture is the backbone for transforming Nigeria. With investments in special agro-industrial processing zones, Nigeria can and must become a global powerhouse,” said Adesina.
Makinde also pointed to complementary infrastructure such as the 65km Moniya–Ijaiye–Iseyin Road, designed to link production areas to consumption zones. Additionally, a wholesale market modeled after France’s Rungis is planned to strengthen value chains. With the Ijaiye hub joining Fasola and Eruwa and more hubs in the pipeline, stakeholders agree Oyo is building a sustainable foundation for jobs, food security and economic growth. As Makinde ended, he said, “This is a major economic lift to our state, to our farmers, to our environment and to our youths.”
