Makinde, Shettima, and AfDB President Break Ground for Massive Agribusiness Hub in Oyo State

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In a landmark event for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Vice President Kashim Shettima (represented by Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari), and AfDB President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina performed the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub at Ijaiye, Akinyele Local Government Area, on Saturday, August 2, 2025.

The project is part of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative—an ambitious programme driven by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, and several state governments. It aims to transform Nigeria’s rural economy by boosting agro-processing capacity and commercial farming through large-scale, strategically located hubs.

Governor Makinde, in his address, described the hub as a game-changer for Oyo’s economy. He emphasized that this is not just a farming project, but a bold step to industrialize agriculture, create jobs for thousands of youths, and stimulate sustainable growth. The Ijaiye hub will occupy 3,000 hectares out of the existing 7,581-hectare farm settlement, with the remaining area designated for infrastructure like roads, housing, and a proposed Rungis-style wholesale food market, modeled after France’s world-famous food distribution centre.

“With this groundbreaking, we are unlocking the full potential of agribusiness in Oyo State,” Makinde said. “We are building on the successes at Fasola and Eruwa to make agriculture a real business—not just a development slogan.”

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina commended Governor Makinde’s vision and consistency in promoting agribusiness. He noted that Oyo is now setting a precedent in the Southwest by launching the first SAPZ in the region. He also stressed the importance of agro-industrial zones in reducing food waste, increasing value addition, and attracting private sector investment.

Senator Kyari, speaking on behalf of Vice President Shettima, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting SAPZs across the country, noting that such projects are vital for achieving national food security, boosting exports, and ending youth unemployment.

Beyond the economic benefits, the government assured local residents that farmers currently occupying the land have been consulted since 2020 and will be properly compensated following enumeration of their crops and landholdings.

The Ijaiye Agribusiness Hub is expected to become a model of how agriculture can drive industrial development in Nigeria, turning farm produce into high-value goods while empowering communities and creating wealth at the grassroots.