The Oyo State government has attributed its inability to pursue the Botswana maize proposal to the federal government's decision to approve large-scale maize importation into the country. According to Governor Seyi Makinde's Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the policy has significantly affected local farmers, depressed market prices, and altered the economics of domestic maize production. This decision, he said, was made to protect the livelihoods of Oyo State farmers from further market shocks.
Olanrewaju stated that Governor Makinde's administration opted for stability, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness rather than short-term political optics. He emphasized that the decision did not signify a withdrawal from international agricultural engagement but rather aligned with the governor's broader philosophy that agriculture must be driven by evidence, competitiveness, and sustainability. This approach is reflected in the administration's achievements, including 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, Olanrewaju explained that Oyo State positioned itself for deeper integration into continental markets, 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 through a robust structural foundation capable of supporting multiple international trade opportunities. The administration's agribusiness achievements reflect this long-term vision, including the establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency.
The Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency was created to coordinate policy and engage investors, while the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Park has been recognized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Nigeria's first Agricultural Transformation Centre. 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. These initiatives demonstrate the administration's commitment to a sustainable and competitive agribusiness sector.
During his first term, Governor Makinde's administration explored a bilateral maize export arrangement with the Government of Botswana, which held genuine promise 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 the proposal was not in the best interest of the state. The agency's findings led to the recalibration of the Botswana maize initiative.
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. This approach has ensured that the state's agricultural sector remains competitive and sustainable.
The Oyo State government's decision to prioritize sustainability and competitiveness in its agricultural sector has yielded significant results. The state's emergence as a leader in agribusiness and its commitment to implementing the AfCFTA protocol have positioned it for growth and development. As the state continues to implement its agribusiness initiatives, it is expected to create jobs, increase food production, and contribute to the country's economic growth.
Key points
- Oyo State government's decision to abandon the Botswana maize proposal was driven by a desire to protect local farmers and prioritize sustainability and competitiveness in the state's agricultural sector.
- The state's adoption of the AfCFTA protocol has positioned it for deeper integration into continental markets and increased foreign investment.
- Governor Makinde's administration has prioritized data-driven decision-making in its agricultural sector, guided by a long-term vision for a sustainable and competitive agribusiness economy.
