Oyo State Government hereby provides clarity on recent discussions surrounding the Botswana maize proposal and reaffirms its steadfast commitment to building a globally competitive agribusiness economy under the leadership of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde.
Governor Makinde has consistently maintained that agriculture must be approached with the discipline and precision of a modern economic enterprise. Every major decision of his administration, including the recalibration of the Botswana maize initiative, has been guided by data, scientific analysis, logic, and the long term economic interest of the people of Oyo State.
During his first term, the administration explored a bilateral maize export arrangement with the Government of Botswana. The proposal held genuine promise, offering prospects for expanded cultivation, guaranteed off take, and foreign exchange earnings for farmers. However, comprehensive feasibility studies conducted by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency revealed that Oyo State did not possess a strong comparative advantage in maize production at the scale and price required for international export. In light of these findings, Governor Makinde made a prudent and responsible decision to redirect the state’s efforts toward value chains that offer greater viability and long term profitability.
This strategic pivot must also be understood within the broader national context. The Federal Government’s decision to approve large scale maize importation into the country significantly affected local farmers, depressed market prices, and altered the economics of domestic maize production. Governor Makinde’s choice to avoid exposing Oyo State farmers to further market shocks was therefore not only data driven but also protective of livelihoods. His administration opted for stability, sustainability, and long term competitiveness rather than short term political optics.
This decision did not signify a withdrawal from international agricultural engagement. Rather, it aligned seamlessly with Governor Makinde’s broader philosophy: agriculture must be driven by evidence, competitiveness, and sustainability. This philosophy is further reflected in one of the administration’s most consequential achievements, Oyo State’s emergence as the first subnational government in Africa to domesticate and implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol.
By adopting AfCFTA early, Oyo State positioned itself for deeper integration into continental markets, the removal of trade barriers, increased foreign investment, and active participation in cross border agricultural value chains. This milestone underscores the administration’s commitment to building an export ready agribusiness economy, not through a single bilateral arrangement, but through a robust structural foundation capable of supporting multiple international trade opportunities.
Governor Makinde’s agribusiness achievements reflect this long term vision. The establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency created a dedicated institution for policy coordination and investor engagement. The Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Park, now recognized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Nigeria’s first Agricultural Transformation Centre, stands as a flagship of this vision. The ongoing development of the Ijaye Agribusiness Industrial Hub under the AfDB supported Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones programme further expands the state’s capacity for food processing, job creation, and export driven growth.
The administration has also strengthened rural security through the Amotekun Corps, ensuring safer farming communities and reducing losses from farm invasions. Investments in road networks, rural access roads, and the Light Up Oyo project have improved logistics and reduced post harvest losses, enhancing profitability for farmers across all zones of the state. Furthermore, following feasibility studies that identified cassava as a stronger comparative advantage than maize, the state has expanded cassava production and processing to meet industrial demand.
Governor Makinde’s decisions, whether on the Botswana maize proposal or on broader agribusiness reforms, reflect a clear and consistent approach: to build a sustainable agricultural economy anchored on data, competitiveness, and long term value. Through AfCFTA adoption, industrial hubs, improved security, and strategic infrastructure, Oyo State continues to emerge as a leader in agribusiness transformation.
The government remains committed to supporting farmers, attracting investors, and ensuring that agriculture remains a central driver of economic growth and job creation across the state.
