Ondo State is taking its agricultural development programme to all 203 political wards, with the government tailoring interventions to the crops, livestock and other agricultural activities dominant in each community.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa said the ward-based approach is intended to increase production, improve processing and create jobs while positioning the state to compete in domestic and international agricultural markets.

He disclosed this on Wednesday at the FirstBank Agric and Export Expo 2026 in Lagos, where he outlined the state’s plans to move beyond primary production and develop complete agricultural value chains.

The expo, held at Eko Hotel under the theme “From Farm to Global Markets: Building Nigeria’s Export Value Chain”, brought together government officials, financial institutions, producers, processors, exporters and other stakeholders.

Why Ondo is focusing on its 203 wards

Aiyedatiwa said agriculture should be developed at the community level because production patterns and farmers’ needs differ across the state.

“Agriculture happens in communities, not in government offices and not in banking offices either,” he said.

Under the 203-Ward Agricultural Programme, the state government is identifying what each ward produces, its farmers and cooperatives, existing production clusters, available infrastructure and the interventions required to expand agricultural activity.

The governor said cocoa-producing communities, for example, have different requirements from areas focused on fishing, cassava, oil palm or livestock.

He said this would allow the government to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to agricultural development.

Government wants farmers to move beyond small-scale production

Aiyedatiwa said the state was also promoting communal and cluster farming, arguing that fragmented farms can make mechanisation, extension services and investment more difficult.

Larger production clusters, he said, could improve farmers’ access to technology, inputs, machinery, financing, aggregation and processing facilities.

Ondo has comparative advantages in commodities including cocoa, oil palm, cassava, fisheries, aquaculture and livestock.

But the governor said those advantages would only translate into greater prosperity if the state developed competitive value chains covering production, aggregation, processing, storage, logistics, traceability, standards, finance and market access.

More than two million cocoa seedlings have been distributed in 2026, he said, alongside livestock prevention measures and other agricultural interventions.

Rural roads, power and storage remain critical

The governor also linked agricultural expansion to infrastructure, particularly roads, electricity, water and storage facilities.

He said hundreds of kilometres of rural roads had been constructed or rehabilitated through the Rural Access and Marketing Programme (RAMP) to improve connections between rural communities, production areas and markets.

Improved infrastructure, he said, would help reduce post-harvest losses and make it easier for farmers to move produce to buyers.

Security is another challenge.

Aiyedatiwa said the government was mobilising home-grown security outfits while working with other security agencies to protect farmers and agricultural areas.

He also said the government was taking steps to improve access to land for agricultural production and investment while protecting the interests of local communities.

Ondo seeks investors in processing, not just raw materials

A central part of the governor’s message at the expo was the need to attract investors who would process agricultural commodities within the state.

“We do not simply want investors who will come and acquire our land and leave it for many years without utilising it. We do not want investors who will come and purchase our commodities only,” he said.

He said the state was seeking investment in cocoa and cassava processing, fisheries, aquaculture, livestock, storage, logistics, renewable energy, agricultural technology and export infrastructure.

The government wants businesses that can create jobs, introduce technology, develop skills and support farmers while retaining more value within Ondo.

“Our mission is straightforward. The work we produce in Ondo State should be increasingly processed in Ondo State, create jobs in Ondo State and compete confidently in markets across Nigeria and around the world,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

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Cocoa faces changing export requirements

The governor also highlighted the effect of changing international standards on agricultural exports, particularly cocoa.

He said Ondo had inaugurated a State Strategic Committee on Compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), bringing together farmers, exporters, processors and other stakeholders in the cocoa value chain.

Mapping is being carried out to establish the origin of cocoa from farms and support compliance with international market requirements, he said.

“The goal is clear. Farmers must not lose access to premium international markets because global standards have changed,” he said.

The development is significant for cocoa-producing communities because compliance with international requirements increasingly forms part of access to some export markets.

Governor calls for new opportunities for young people

Aiyedatiwa also urged young people to view agriculture as more than farming.

He cited opportunities around cocoa in areas such as chocolate, beverages, cosmetics, processing, logistics and exports.

Cassava, he added, could support businesses producing starch, flour, industrial materials and bio-based products.

The governor said government, farmers, private businesses, financial institutions and development partners would need to work together to move agriculture from subsistence to enterprise and from farm-gate sales to processing and global markets.

Other stakeholders call for value addition

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, in a goodwill message, urged states and agricultural stakeholders to adopt new farming methods, saying agribusiness could provide significant economic opportunities.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ruth Olusanya, said agriculture should be treated as an engine of economic growth, industrialisation, job creation and export earnings.

She said Nigeria needed to increase exports of processed products rather than relying heavily on raw materials, citing cassava derivatives and processed cocoa products.

FirstBank promises continued support

FirstBank Nigeria Managing Director Olusegun Alebiosu said the bank’s agricultural and export expo had evolved from an awareness initiative into a platform connecting producers, processors, exporters, financiers, policymakers and investors.

He said agriculture and exports remained important to Nigeria’s economic diversification and sustainable growth.

Alebiosu said FirstBank, with more than 130 years of involvement in Nigeria’s development, remained committed to supporting businesses operating across the agricultural and non-oil export value chains.

He said the 2026 edition was focused on moving from discussions to implementation through partnerships, financing, market access and knowledge sharing.

Meanwhile, Sunbeth Global Concept Managing Director Sukunmi Owoyemi advised young people interested in agriculture to gain practical business experience before entering the sector.

He identified financing, government policies and gaps in education as some of the factors limiting growth, and called for continued engagement among stakeholders.

What happens next?

Ondo’s 203-ward strategy will require more than identifying agricultural opportunities. Its success will depend on how effectively interventions reach farmers, how much private investment is mobilised and whether processing, infrastructure, finance and market access expand alongside production.

The state’s push also comes as Nigerian agricultural producers face the challenge of meeting changing international standards while seeking to increase the country’s non-oil exports.

For Ondo, the stated objective is to retain more of the economic value generated from its agricultural commodities within the state, while connecting producers to wider Nigerian and international markets.

Nigeria’s real estate developer Adron Group is exploring a possible partnership with the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center that could see the development of specialised farm estates in Niger State.

The company said its Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, visited the centre to discuss opportunities in livestock production, commercial farming and agro-processing.

What is being proposed?

Adron Group said it wants to apply its experience in land and estate development to agriculture through what it calls Adron Farm Estates.

The proposed estates would provide planned land layouts, infrastructure and security for commercial farmers, livestock operators and agro-processors.

The Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center would play a facilitation role, according to the company.

The two organisations also discussed livestock production and opportunities to develop an integrated agricultural value chain in Niger State.

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Why does it matter?

Nigeria continues to face pressure to increase domestic food production while creating jobs and improving the infrastructure available to farmers and agricultural businesses.

The agricultural sector also faces longstanding challenges, including poor rural infrastructure, limited access to finance, fragmented markets, inadequate storage and difficulties moving farm produce from production areas to consumers.

The proposed farm-estate model seeks to address part of that problem by combining land development with agricultural production.

But providing planned estates alone will not resolve the sector’s wider problems.

The success of any such project would depend on issues such as access to water, roads, electricity, farm inputs, affordable finance, markets, extension services and security.

Who could benefit?

Farmers and livestock producers could benefit if the proposed estates provide affordable land, reliable infrastructure and access to markets.

Agro-processing businesses could also gain from having production closer to organised processing facilities.

For Niger State, a successful project could generate employment and investment while increasing agricultural activity.

Consumers could benefit in the longer term if greater production and more efficient supply chains help improve the availability and affordability of food.

However, these are potential benefits rather than outcomes that the proposed partnership has established.

The organisations have not disclosed how much land they intend to develop, how many farmers they expect to accommodate or how many jobs the project could create.

The Niger State opportunity

Niger State has significant agricultural potential because of its large land area and its role in food production.

Its proximity to major population centres, including Abuja, also gives agricultural businesses potential access to large consumer markets.

The state has also pursued agricultural development and livestock-related initiatives as part of efforts to strengthen food production and attract investment.

The proposed Adron initiative therefore enters an agricultural environment where government and private-sector actors are already seeking to increase production and commercialise farming.

Its distinguishing feature would be the attempt to combine planned real estate development with agricultural production.

What does the policy environment say?

The Federal Government has placed food security, agricultural production and investment in the agricultural value chain among its major economic priorities.

Nigeria has also sought to move agriculture away from predominantly subsistence production towards commercially organised value chains covering production, processing, storage and distribution.

That approach makes private investment potentially important.

But agricultural land development also requires careful attention to land rights, environmental impact, water use, community interests and the rights of existing farmers.

Any large-scale project would therefore need to demonstrate that development does not displace communities or undermine existing agricultural activity.

What happens next?

Adron Group and the Niger Foods Breeding and Feedlot Center are expected to continue discussions on the proposed collaboration.

The next significant test will be whether the talks produce a formal agreement containing clear commitments, financing, locations, implementation dates and measurable targets.

For Niger State residents and prospective investors, the key issue will be whether the proposed partnership can translate its plans for structured agricultural communities into functioning farms, livestock facilities, processing businesses and sustainable jobs.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has approved the appointment of a seven-member Cocoa Revolution and Management Board as part of efforts to transform the state’s cocoa industry and restore its position as Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing state.

The board will coordinate policies, engage stakeholders, attract investment and promote innovation across the cocoa value chain under the government’s Cocoa Revolution Agenda.

Why it matters

Cocoa remains one of Ondo State’s most valuable agricultural products and a major source of income for thousands of farming families.

Industry analysts say improving productivity, processing capacity and market access could create more jobs, increase export earnings and strengthen the state’s internally generated revenue.

Agriculture experts have long argued that sustained investment in improved seedlings, extension services and access to finance is essential if Nigeria is to remain competitive in the global cocoa market.

Who will serve on the board?

The newly appointed members are:

Mr. Omolade Fabiyi – Chairman

Alhaji Taiwo Ayoade – Member

Dr. Jibayo Oyebade – Member

Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe – Member

Akinbola Omolade Franklin – Member

Tope Oni – Member

Anthony Omolakin – Secretary

Governor outlines expectations

Governor Aiyedatiwa congratulated the appointees and urged them to justify the confidence placed in them.

He called on the board members to bring “their wealth of experience, integrity, and commitment to bear in delivering on the mandate of the Board.”

The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting cocoa farmers through improved seedlings, easier access to finance, extension services and modern processing facilities to increase productivity and profitability.

He said he was confident the initiative would create jobs, improve the state’s revenue base and provide a sustainable future for cocoa-producing communities.

Expert perspective

Agricultural economists say governance reforms can improve investor confidence in the cocoa sector, provided they are backed by consistent implementation, transparent funding and regular engagement with farmers.

They note that expanding local cocoa processing could also enable farmers to earn more from value-added products rather than relying mainly on raw bean exports.

Public and industry reaction

Many cocoa farmers are expected to welcome the move, particularly if it leads to quicker access to improved seedlings, agricultural loans and better extension support.

Stakeholders say the success of the initiative will ultimately depend on how effectively the board works with farming communities, cooperatives and private investors.

What’s next?

The board is expected to begin implementing the state’s Cocoa Revolution Agenda by coordinating development programmes, mobilising stakeholders and encouraging investments aimed at increasing cocoa production and strengthening the value chain.

Its performance is likely to be closely watched by farmers, investors and agricultural organisations looking for measurable improvements in productivity and rural livelihoods.