Leaders across federal, state, and continental institutions on Saturday launched the Ijaiye Agribusiness Industrial Hub under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, joined African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility, which is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming agriculture from subsistence-level to a major economic driver.
The hub, anchored on the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development (2023–2027), is designed to catalyse job creation, attract investment, and boost food security by positioning agriculture as an engine for industrial growth.
“This project is more than a local initiative; it is a strategic national asset,” said Senator Kyari. “Nigeria’s future depends on turning agriculture into a serious business. What we are witnessing here is a model of how state and federal collaboration can accelerate meaningful change.”
AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina described the Ijaiye SAPZ as a game-changer, highlighting the bank’s continued support for agro-industrialisation across Africa.
He noted that the hub would not only process raw agricultural products locally but also create value chains that benefit farmers, agripreneurs, and exporters alike.
On his part, Governor Seyi Makinde, who initiated the hub, said the project reflects his administration’s commitment to decentralising agricultural development and ensuring that every zone in Oyo State benefits from agro-industrial transformation.
“We made a promise to industrialise agriculture, and today’s milestone is proof of that commitment,” Makinde said. “With this hub, we are laying the foundation for a future where Oyo becomes a leader in agribusiness, not just in Nigeria but across West Africa.”
The Ijaiye SAPZ will integrate production, processing, storage, and logistics within a single ecosystem, offering local farmers and investors the infrastructure and incentives needed to thrive in a modern food economy.
