By Adeola Badru

IBADAN — Oyo State’s investment and agribusiness sectors have seen notable growth since 2019, driven by reforms led by Dr. Debo Akande, Director-General of the state’s Agribusiness Development Agency, under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration. Officials say the initiatives have attracted foreign investment, expanded youth-focused agricultural programmes, and created jobs across the state.

Akande, who has largely operated behind the scenes, is credited with aligning private-sector expertise with public policy objectives, building systems that attract capital, improve productivity, and generate sustainable employment.

A senior official in the state’s economic management team said the approach has been deliberately technocratic. “The emphasis has been on measurable impact rather than political visibility. What we have seen over the past few years is a coordinated effort to make agriculture and agribusiness viable, bankable, and attractive to investors,” the official said.

Central to the reforms are youth-oriented agricultural initiatives that integrate young people into organised value chains. Structured training programmes, improved market access, and strengthened production networks have enabled participants to move beyond subsistence farming into commercially viable operations spanning agro-processing, logistics, and rural enterprise.

Programme coordinators noted that these initiatives have generated direct and indirect employment, creating an ecosystem that provides training, market access, and support. “Young people are no longer operating in isolation. That has changed income levels and long-term prospects for many of them,” they said.

Smallholder farmers have also benefited from better coordination and access to buyers, while youth-led ventures are now participating in formalised supply chains. Economic analysts observed that Oyo State’s structured approach has boosted investor confidence. An Ibadan-based analyst said, “Investors look for predictability and organisation. What is happening here reflects deliberate planning and effective execution.”

While Akande has not publicly expressed political ambitions, observers note that his influence stems from tangible results in key sectors. Administration sources stressed that his mandate remains focused strictly on economic development. “He works at the intersection of policy and private enterprise. The objective is to ensure that investment reaches ordinary citizens and supports the broader development agenda of the governor,” a government official said.

Beneficiaries of the programmes reported significant improvements in their livelihoods. One young agripreneur said, “It has given me direction and consistent income. It is more than farming; it is about building a sustainable future.”

As Oyo State positions itself as a competitive destination for business and investment, officials emphasised that priorities remain consolidating gains and expanding opportunities, with a focus on performance, accountability, and long-term economic growth.