The Oyo State Government has defended Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to discontinue plans for a maize export arrangement with Botswana, describing the move as a strategic decision informed by economic realities and long-term agricultural priorities.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 2, 2026, the government said the decision followed feasibility studies by the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, which indicated that the state lacked sufficient comparative advantage in maize production to compete effectively in the international export market.
The proposed bilateral arrangement, explored during Makinde’s first term, was initially expected to boost maize cultivation, provide farmers with a guaranteed market and generate foreign exchange earnings.
However, findings from the studies reportedly revealed that the cost and scale of production required to sustain the deal were not economically viable for the state.
The government also cited the Federal Government’s approval of large-scale maize importation as a factor that affected local market conditions, weakened prices and created additional uncertainties for domestic producers.
According to the statement, Makinde’s administration considered the potential impact on farmers and opted to redirect resources towards agricultural ventures with better prospects for sustainability and profitability.
It stressed that abandoning the Botswana initiative did not amount to a retreat from international agricultural partnerships but reflected a broader policy of prioritising evidence-based decisions and market competitiveness.
The government highlighted Oyo State’s adoption and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol, which it described as a major step towards expanding access to continental markets, encouraging foreign investment and strengthening cross-border trade.
It also pointed to the establishment of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency as part of efforts to improve agricultural policy coordination and attract investors into the sector.
Other projects cited included the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Park, which the government said had been recognised by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as Nigeria’s first Agricultural Transformation Centre, and the ongoing development of the Ijaye Agribusiness Industrial Hub under the AfDB-supported Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme.
The administration further highlighted investments in rural infrastructure and security as key components of its agricultural development agenda.
It said the Amotekun Corps had helped strengthen security in farming communities, while road construction, rural access projects and the Light Up Oyo initiative had improved transportation, logistics and farmers’ access to markets.
The government also disclosed that the state had intensified efforts to expand cassava production and processing following studies that identified the crop as offering greater comparative economic benefits than maize.
Reaffirming its commitment to agricultural development, the government said it would continue to support farmers, attract private investment and promote agribusiness as a major source of employment and economic growth in Oyo State.
