The Executive Adviser on International Development Cooperation and Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Debo Akande, has emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s Agricultural Development, describing the future of Agribusiness not as a “water-tights” system but as a “lock and keys” model.
Speaking on the evolving dynamics of food systems, Dr. Akande explained that Agriculture is a complex enterprise with diverse challenges ranging from production, processing, and financing to market access and technology adoption. According to him, these challenges cannot be solved through rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions.
“Agribusiness is not water-tights; it is a lock and keys model. Each challenge presents its own peculiar lock, and it is our duty as leaders, policymakers, and innovators to find the right key to unlock sustainable solutions,” he said.
Dr. Akande commended Governor Seyi Makinde for providing the enabling environment that has made Oyo State a reference point in Nigeria’s Agribusiness space. He highlighted the Governor’s bold initiatives, from policy reforms and infrastructural development to strategic partnerships with international organizations, as practical demonstrations of the lock-and-keys model in action.
“Governor Makinde has shown that leadership in Agribusiness requires courage, vision, and consistency. Under his stewardship, Oyo State is not just growing food; it is growing industries, jobs, and opportunities for the future,” he remarked.
Beyond praise for Makinde’s vibrancy, Dr. Akande’s metaphor carries deeper implications for National Agricultural Transformation. The “lock and keys” model emphasizes adaptability in governance, where each sectoral issue is matched with tailored interventions, whether in mechanization, climate-smart practices, youth engagement, or export competitiveness. It also reinforces the call for localized solutions that respond to Nigeria’s unique socio-economic realities while aligning with global food security frameworks.
As Oyo State expands frontiers in Agribusiness, Dr. Debo Akande stressed that the journey is far from over. With the right “keys”, innovative financing models, Agritech adoption, capacity building, and value chain integration, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of its Agricultural economy and establish itself as a hub of food security and industrial prosperity.
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