Ipao-Ekiti, Ekiti State –
The 3rd Annual Agbeyewa Traditional Rulers Retreat, held on 15 April 2026 at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Center, has concluded with a resounding consensus that agricultural transformation in Nigeria can only be achieved with steady alignment between government, traditional institutions, the private sector, academia, and security agencies.
With the theme – “Driving Economic Transformation Through Sustainable Agricultural Development”, the retreat convened 45 traditional rulers from across Ekiti State, senior government officials, security agency heads, academics, and agribusiness leaders to deliberate on strategies to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure security, and unlock investment opportunities in the state.
GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO AGRICULTURE-LED GROWTH
Representing Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Biodun Oyebanji, Chief of Staff Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to its Shared Prosperity Agenda, with agriculture as a central driver of economic growth. He highlighted ongoing efforts to attract strategic investment, expand infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for agribusiness. The governor commended Agbeyewa Farms and Cavista Holdings for their contributions to job creation, economic expansion, and internally generated revenue in the state.
OONI OF IFE CALLS FOR INVESTOR-FRIENDLY TRADITIONAL DOMAINS
His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba (Dr.) Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, called on traditional rulers across Ekiti State to foster investor-friendly environments within their domains, emphasising the need for unity, proactive leadership, and swift resolution of land disputes that impede development.
He said “Agbeyewa Farms is a model for large-scale agricultural development capable of driving national progress. The private sector is transforming rural economies, and our traditional institutions must create the conditions for that transformation to take root.”
CAVISTA HOLDINGS: FROM FARM TO FACTORY
In his welcome address, Chairman of Cavista Holdings and Agbeyewa Farms, Mr. Niyi John Olajide, underscored the organisation’s conviction that development must translate into tangible improvements in daily lives — through jobs, income, and community empowerment.
In his words – “The future of Ekiti will be built through partnership. Government, traditional institutions, and the private sector must move in alignment, with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility to the people.”
Mr. Olajide announced that Cavista Holdings, through Agbeyewa Farms, has acquired Matna Foods Limited (an Akure-based cassava processing company with over two decades of operations) to deepen its cassava ecosystem from farm to factory. The acquisition expands processing capacity, broadens market access, and retains economic value within the region.
Agbeyewa Farms, established to restore dignity to farming while driving large-scale rural development, has grown to become the largest cassava farm in Africa. Its Managing Director, Mr. Oska Seyi Aiyeleso, confirmed the farm’s rapid expansion from 1,000 hectares to over 5,000 hectares of cassava cultivation, with a long-term target of 100,000 hectares under a formal agreement with the Ekiti State Government.
RURAL SECURITY: A PREREQUISITE FOR AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT
Participants raised urgent concerns about farmer-herder conflicts and called for the full operationalisation of structured ranching systems across the southern, central, and northern districts of the state. Stakeholders also emphasised that while community-based institutions play a vital role in intelligence gathering, responsibility for confronting armed threats in forested areas lies with formal security agencies.
In his response, the Ekiti state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Michael Falade Adegoroye, outlined ongoing multi-agency security operations involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, Agro-Marshals, and local vigilante networks. He noted that coordinated operations across forest corridors and boundary communities linking Ekiti with Kwara, Kogi, and Ondo States have significantly improved security outcomes.
ACADEMIA URGES INNOVATION-LED CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN
Delivering the keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of Venite University, Professor Charity Aremu, called for stronger integration of research, technology, and industrial processing to reposition cassava as a driver of industrial growth, export competitiveness, and job creation. She also recommended closer collaboration between academia, farmers, and private investors like Agbeyewa Farms to reduce post-harvest losses.
TRADITIONAL RULERS PLEDGE CONTINUED SUPPORT
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Samuel Adejimi Adu-Alagbado, the Ogaga of Ikere-Ekiti, highlighted the critical role of traditional institutions in mobilising grassroots participation and facilitating land access for investors. He reaffirmed the collective support of Ekiti’s traditional rulers for initiatives that drive sustainable agricultural development.
KEY OUTCOMES AND COMMITMENTS
Across all engagements, stakeholders reached consensus on the following priorities:
• Improved land accessibility for agricultural expansion
• Deeper public-private partnerships to accelerate agricultural transformation
• Stronger collaboration between academia, farmers, and private investors to reduce post-harvest losses
• Strengthened multi-agency rural security operations and enhanced intelligence sharing
• Full implementation of structured ranching systems across Ekiti State
The retreat concluded with a renewed commitment to building a secure, innovation-driven, and investment-friendly agricultural ecosystem in Ekiti State, anchored on collaboration, trust, and shared prosperity.
