Oyo State’s commitment to agricultural industrialisation is steadily reshaping its economy, and the success of the Fasola Agribusiness Transformation Center (ATC) stands as proof of what is possible when vision meets action. The Fasola initiative laid the foundation for a state-wide strategy that is turning agriculture from traditional practice into a structured, industrial enterprise, a model that continues to expand through Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) programme across the State.
At the groundbreaking ceremony of the Oyo State Agro Industrial Hub, Ijaiye, Akinyele LGA (Ibadan Zone), on August 2, 2025, Governor Seyi Makinde captured the essence of this transformation, noting:
“The Fasola Agribusiness Transformation Centre has changed the local economy. Young people are returning to the land. Businesses are forming. Poverty is giving way to prosperity.”
That statement reflects the achievement of Fasola. Within three years, 12 new agribusiness companies were established in the hub, attracting over ₦17 billion in new investment, primarily in processing factories for crops produced across the state. These numbers go beyond statistics, they represent livelihoods restored, industries reborn, and communities re-energised.
But the vision does not stop at Fasola. As the Governor reaffirmed still at the groundbreaking ceremony,
“We began in Fasola, in the Oyo Zone, where 12 agribusinesses are already operational. We continued in Eruwa, in Ibarapa Zone. And now, we are here in Ibadan Zone, ensuring that the benefits of agribusiness development reach every region of our State.”
This expansion shows deliberate and strategic planning for balanced growth within the state. By spreading Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones across Oyo State’s zones, from Fasola to Eruwa and Ijaiye, the state is creating a network of agribusiness hubs that link production with processing, and rural potential with industrial capacity. Each zone is designed to attract investors, empower local farmers, and build value chains around key crops.
The Fasola Model demonstrates how infrastructure, private investment, and government policy can work hand in hand to industrialise agriculture. The concentration of processing facilities, logistics support, and training centres in one ecosystem boosts efficiency and lowers costs, making agribusiness more profitable for all stakeholders. It also shows how coordinated zones can stimulate rural industrialisation, turning once-quiet farming communities into active centres of trade and innovation.
In the Governor’s words:
“We are building a future where agriculture feeds not just homes, but industries. Where it does not just sustain families, but entire economies.”
This vision captures the essence of Oyo State’s agribusiness drive, a transformation powered by 3Ps; Policy, Partnership, and People.
As Oyo State continues to expand its economy through agricultural industrialisation, the Fasola Model and its successors in Eruwa and Ijaiye stand as milestones of progress. Together, they form the blueprint for how strategic vision, investment, youth engagement, and regional balance can turn agriculture into a true engine of economic growth for the entire State. With continued commitment and collaboration, Oyo State’s agribusiness story will keep unfolding, shaping a stronger, more resilient future for all.
Be a part of this initiative by investing, collaborating, and innovating with Oyo State as it builds the future of agribusiness in Nigeria.