The Oyo State Government has said Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to recalibrate the proposed Botswana maize export initiative was based on feasibility studies and the long-term economic interests of the state.
In a statement signed by Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor of Oyo State, the government said the decision was guided by data, scientific analysis, logic and the need to build a globally competitive agribusiness economy.
The government explained that during Makinde’s first term, the state explored a bilateral maize export arrangement with the Government of Botswana, which offered prospects for expanded cultivation, guaranteed off-take and foreign exchange earnings for farmers.
However, comprehensive feasibility studies conducted by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency reportedly showed that Oyo State did not have a strong comparative advantage in maize production at the scale and price required for international export. The findings prompted the administration to redirect its agricultural focus towards value chains considered more viable and profitable in the long term.
The government added that the Federal Government’s approval of large-scale maize importation also affected local farmers by depressing market prices and changing the economics of domestic maize production. It said Governor Makinde’s decision was therefore aimed at protecting farmers from further market shocks while prioritising stability and sustainability over short-term political considerations.
It stressed that the decision did not represent a withdrawal from international agricultural engagement, pointing instead to Oyo State’s adoption and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol as part of its broader strategy to position the state within continental markets and cross-border agricultural value chains.
The government also highlighted the establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Park, recognised by the African Development Bank as Nigeria’s first Agricultural Transformation Centre, and the ongoing Ijaye Agribusiness Industrial Hub under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme.
It further listed investments in rural security through the Amotekun Corps, road networks, rural access roads and the Light Up Oyo project as measures supporting farmers and reducing logistical challenges and post-harvest losses. The government said feasibility studies had also identified cassava as having a stronger comparative advantage than maize, leading to increased attention to cassava production and processing. It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers, attracting investors and making agriculture a major driver of economic growth and job creation across Oyo State.
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