…….“He’s not just planting seeds in the soil, but seeds of prosperity in every household across the state.”
In the sun-drenched fields of Ijaiye and across Oyo State’s emerging agro corridors, a quiet revolution is taking root, one driven by the unwavering vision of Governor Seyi Makinde and steered by tireless, assiduous collaborators like Dr. Debo Akande, the Executive Adviser on International Development Cooperation and Director-General of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA).
Recall, while Dr. Akande was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oyo Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), he did not mince words when he described the governor’s efforts in transforming Oyo’s agrarian potential into a thriving agribusiness economy as “incontestable and historically defining.”
“This is not just a project,” Akande said, gesturing toward the expansive 3,000-hectare farmland in Atan-Ijaiye, “It’s a declaration of economic intent. What His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, is doing here will shape not just Oyo State’s future, but Nigeria’s place in the global food economy.”
Under Governor Makinde’s leadership, Oyo State has repositioned itself as the Southwest’s agribusiness nucleus. From strategic partnerships with global institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), to securing the first SAPZ in the region, the investment inflow into the state’s agribusiness sector is no longer trickling, it’s flowing with undeniable force.
Dr. Akande credited the governor’s bold policy decisions and proactive governance for unlocking these opportunities, noting that “Makinde saw the future of food security, youth employment, and industrial value chains long before it became the national conversation.”
What makes Oyo’s agribusiness story unique is its integrated approach. It’s not just about planting crops, but creating value chains from mechanized farming and storage infrastructure to processing hubs and export markets. The SAPZ, a multi-sectoral investment magnet, is designed to support farmers, attract private capital, and enable local and foreign investors to thrive in a business-friendly environment.
“Makinde’s strategy is to build an ecosystem that empowers farmers, energizes rural economies, and attracts technology,” Akande emphasized. “He’s not just planting seeds in the soil, but seeds of prosperity in every household across the state.”
As other Nigerian states grapple with food insecurity and youth unemployment, Oyo State stands out as a model of foresight and pragmatic leadership. With SAPZ and complementary agribusiness policies like the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), Governor Makinde has turned agriculture into a goldmine for sustainable development.
Dr. Akande, a key player in the planning and execution of these initiatives, said, “It’s one thing to dream, it’s another to deliver. Governor Makinde is delivering, and the results are visible, measurable, and transformational.”
As tractors begin to roar and processing lines prepare to roll, the seeds sown in the early years of Governor Makinde’s administration are already sprouting into a legacy that will endure. The SAPZ is not an isolated milestone, it is the heartbeat of a larger agribusiness vision that connects people, purpose, vision and prosperity.
“We owe it to history to acknowledge the leadership behind this transformation,” Akande concluded.
Guess what? “And without a doubt, even beyond rhetorics, Governor Seyi Makinde’s name will be remembered as the man who turned Oyo’s agrarian roots into a global fortune and prosperous economic advantage into our dear state.”
