In the past, agribusiness in Nigeria—especially at the sub-national level—was seen as a sector filled with obstacles, bureaucracy, and uncertainty. But under the transformative leadership of Dr. Debo Akande, Oyo State has flipped the narrative. Today, Oyo stands as a model of what can be achieved when vision meets expertise, and when government creates an environment where innovation thrives.
Dr. Debo Akande, the Executive Adviser on Agribusiness, International Cooperation, and Development to the Governor of Oyo State, has been the architect of agribusiness reform and modernization in the state. His approach is strategic, his execution is data-driven, and his results are evident across all zones of the state—from production hubs to youth training centers.
COMMENDING GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE’S VISION
None of these successes would have been possible without the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde FNSE, DSc, GSSRS, Executive Governor of Oyo State and Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The governor’s decision to discover and empower Dr. Akande was a masterstroke—one that has placed Oyo State on the path of agricultural innovation and economic diversification.
It is a rare gift for a political leader to recognize and entrust such a sensitive portfolio to a technocrat, but Governor Makinde did just that. Today, the results speak volumes.
ACHIEVEMENTS IN OYO AGRIBUSINESS
• Established the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) to coordinate, harness and scale agricultural investments across the state.
• Spearheaded the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in partnership with the African Development Bank, positioning Oyo as a major processing hub.
• Launched Youth Enterprise in Agribusiness Programs (YEAP) to empower thousands of young people through training, mentorship, and access to capital, preparing the next generation of agribusiness actor today .
• Oversaw the development of Agribusiness Industrial Hubs in several locations across Oyo State, unlocking commercial opportunities for small and large-scale investors to Oyo state .
• Forged strong partnerships with global organizations such as the World Bank, CGIAR, FAO, USAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to secure funding, expertise, and technical support for Oyo state.
• Promoted innovation and technology driven agriculture techniques driven by science in collaboration with world class research institute such as the International Livestock Research Institute and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), where he also holds a leadership role.
• Opened up international markets and finance options for local farmers, increasing profitability, market access and long-term sustainability of farming ventures.
MAKING AGRIBUSINESS EASY FOR ALL
Through deliberate policy frameworks, transparent processes, and infrastructure development, Dr. Debo Akande has made agribusiness accessible—not just for big investors, but for rural farmers, youth, and women. His initiatives have turned abandoned farmlands into vibrant centers of activity, and unemployed graduates into agripreneurs.
He has shown that agribusiness can be both profitable and sustainable when managed strategically and professionally.
CONCLUSION
The story of agribusiness in Oyo State is incomplete without the names Seyi Makinde and Debo Akande. One had the vision, the other interpret the vision and brought the expertise—and together, they’ve created a blueprint for other Nigerian states to emulate.
As we continue to applaud Governor Makinde’s leadership style, we must also recognize and celebrate the indelible contributions of Dr. Debo Akande—a man who has not only made agribusiness easy in Oyo State, but has given it meaning, structure, and global relevance.
— Written by a Development Policy Commentator & Youth Empowerment Advocate
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