Oyo State Government has explained its decision to recalibrate the proposed Botswana maize export initiative, saying the move was based on feasibility studies that showed the state lacked sufficient comparative advantage in maize production at the scale and price required for international export.
The government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s administration remained committed to building a globally competitive agribusiness economy anchored on data, scientific analysis and long-term economic sustainability.
According to the statement, the administration had, during Makinde’s first term, 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 showed that maize did not provide the state with a strong enough comparative advantage for production at the scale and price required for international export.
It said the findings prompted the governor to redirect the state’s agricultural strategy towards value chains with greater viability and long-term profitability.
The government also linked the decision to changes in the national maize market, noting that the Federal Government’s approval of large-scale maize importation affected local farmers, depressed market prices and altered the economics of domestic maize production.
It said Makinde’s decision was therefore intended to protect farmers from additional market shocks while prioritising stability, sustainability and long-term competitiveness over short-term political considerations.
The government stressed that the decision did not amount to a withdrawal from international agricultural engagement, but was part of a broader strategy to position Oyo State for sustainable participation in global and continental markets.
It pointed to the state’s adoption and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol as evidence of its commitment to developing an export-ready agribusiness economy.
According to the statement, Oyo’s early adoption of AfCFTA positioned the state for deeper integration into continental markets, reduced trade barriers, increased investment opportunities and greater participation in cross-border agricultural value chains.
The government also cited the establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Park and the ongoing development of the Ijaye Agribusiness Industrial Hub as key components of the strategy.
It noted that the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Park had been recognised by the African Development Bank as Nigeria’s first Agricultural Transformation Centre, while the Ijaye hub is being developed under the AfDB-supported Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme.
The statement further highlighted investments in rural security through the Amotekun Corps, road infrastructure, rural access roads and the Light Up Oyo project, saying the initiatives had improved logistics, reduced post-harvest losses and strengthened the operating environment for farmers.
It added that feasibility studies had identified cassava as offering a stronger comparative advantage than maize, leading the state to expand cassava production and processing to meet industrial demand.
The government said the decisions taken by Makinde on the Botswana maize proposal and other agricultural reforms reflected a consistent policy of building an agricultural economy based on data, competitiveness and long-term value.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers, attracting investors and making agriculture a major driver of economic growth and job creation in Oyo State.
