By Akindele Ibrahim Olore
Today, Oyo State pauses to celebrate a man whose work has quietly but profoundly reshaped the agricultural and economic landscape of the state. Dr. Debo Akande, Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), marks his birthday at a time when the fruits of his vision and industry are evident across communities, farms, markets, and institutions within the state.
An agribusiness development specialist based at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Nigeria, Dr. Akande brings a rare blend of global expertise and local commitment to public service. As Chief Executive Officer of IITA Business Incubation Limited, he leads the Mechanization and Zero Hunger programmes, roles that have placed him at the forefront of innovation in Africa’s food systems. These responsibilities are seamlessly combined with his service to Oyo State as Executive Adviser on Agribusiness and International Development Cooperation and as the pioneer Director-General of OYSADA, positions through which he has become one of the most trusted hands in the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Under Governor Makinde’s leadership, Dr. Akande has emerged as a visionary, brilliant, and tireless professional whose contributions have been instrumental in transforming Oyo State’s agricultural sector into a thriving agribusiness hub. His approach has been deliberate and strategic, shifting agriculture from subsistence practice to a modern, technology-driven enterprise capable of creating jobs, attracting investment, and driving inclusive growth.
Dr. Akande’s broader vision positions agriculture as a powerful catalyst for economic diversification, job creation, and food security in Oyo State. By deliberately opening the sector to private investment and innovation, he has successfully positioned the Agribusiness Transformation Centre ( Fasola ) as a model for sub-national agribusiness development in Nigeria. Today, the hub stands as clear evidence that, with the right leadership and strategic direction, agriculture can move beyond subsistence farming to become a sustainable engine of growth and prosperity for the state.
Under Dr. Akande’s leadership, Fasola has attracted a diverse mix of local and international investors actively engaged in crop and livestock production, agro-processing, and farm mechanization. Notable among these investors is FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, a leading dairy company that has secured about 200 hectares of land for livestock breeding and processing. Milkin Barn Agro Services Limited is also driving grain cultivation and dairy production, while IITA GoSeed collaborates on the production of improved crop varieties, including cassava, cowpea, maize, and soybeans.
Other investors at the hub include E4 Farms, which is involved in crop and dairy production, and BrownHill Farms, known for its greenhouse-based crop cultivation. Sigma Farms and Grandir Agribusiness Company Limited are strengthening the cashew value chain through production and processing, while Rita Global Resources is expanding cassava processing activities. In the area of mechanization and technology, Agridrive provides farm mechanization and cassava processing services, supported by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), which is advancing cassava mechanization initiatives across the state. Troli International Limited further enhances value addition at the hub through the production of agro-processed products such as Pepperetti sauce.
Perhaps the other most visible symbol of this agricultural transformation is the Eruwa Agribusiness Hub, a massive 3,250-hectare development championed by Dr. Akande. Conceived as a centre for production, processing, and value-chain development, the hub represents a bold statement of intent by the state to position agriculture as a major engine of economic growth. Beyond infrastructure, the project reflects a broader vision of agribusiness as an ecosystem that links farmers, processors, markets, and technology sustainably.
Part of Dr. Debo Akande’s laudable achievements as Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) is the successful groundbreaking of the Oyo State Agribusiness Industrial Hub at Ijaiye on August 2, 2025. The landmark event, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, with the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, and the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, signalled a decisive step in the transformation of old farm settlements into modern agro-industrial centres.
The Ijaiye Agribusiness Industrial Hub is designed to drive job creation, attract private investment, and strengthen food security across the state. With a strong focus on processing, value addition, and efficient market linkages, the hub is expected to enhance farmers’ access to markets and industrial opportunities within the Ibadan zone, further reinforcing Oyo State’s vision of agriculture as a sustainable engine of economic growth under Dr. Akande’s leadership.
Dr. Akande’s work has also opened Oyo State to the global agribusiness community. Through strategic engagements, he has facilitated partnerships with international players, including Semaris Rungis, aimed at developing a world-class wholesale food market. Such initiatives are steadily positioning Oyo State as a regional food trading and food security hub, capable of serving both domestic and international markets.
Central to his philosophy is the empowerment of young people. Through programmes such as the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), thousands of youths have been trained in modern, technology-driven food systems, equipping them with skills to become agripreneurs rather than job seekers. Similarly, under the NG-CARES initiative, thousands of young business owners have received support to scale their enterprises, creating ripple effects of employment and economic activity across the state. His advocacy for digital literacy and vocational training has further expanded opportunities for youths, enhancing employability and entrepreneurship in both rural and urban communities.
Dr. Akande’s influence extends beyond programme implementation to the broader economic direction of the state. His role in policy design and execution, including oversight of initiatives such as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, LPRES, and other development programmes, has contributed to fiscal discipline, transparent budgeting, and improved revenue performance. By engaging international development bodies and investors, he has helped attract sustainable projects in agribusiness, urban development, and industrial agriculture, reinforcing Oyo State’s reputation as a model for sub-national development in Nigeria.
At the heart of his work is a strong commitment to food security and modernization. By promoting the use of science, innovation, and agritech, Dr. Akande has encouraged safer, more efficient, and more sustainable food production systems, reducing reliance on outdated methods and improving productivity across the value chain.
As he celebrates another year today, Dr. Debo Akande stands as a testament to what visionary leadership, technical expertise, and selfless public service can achieve. His journey reflects a deep belief in the power of agriculture to transform lives and economies, and his impact continues to shape a future in which Oyo State is not only food-secure but also prosperous, inclusive, and globally competitive. He is one of Oyo state’s finest, his contribution to the socio-economic development of the state is monumental. Keeping a talent as Dr. Akande in governance is essential to achieving an industrialized Oyo in the shortest possible time.
On this special day, the state celebrates not just his birthday, but the enduring legacy of purpose, innovation, and service he represents
Akindele Ibrahim Olore is the Publisher: Westerndailie
