– Akure, Ondo State
The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has signalled its intention to establish a strategic partnership with Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods, recognising the two organisations as leading drivers of innovation and transformation across Nigeria’s cassava value chain.
The proposed collaboration emerged during the International Conference, organised by the University’s School of Life Sciences, where academics, researchers, policymakers, development partners, students, and industry leaders gathered to explore practical solutions for national development through science, technology, and innovation.
Held under the theme, “Advancing Nation Building Through Science, Technology and Innovation,” the conference focused on strengthening partnerships capable of accelerating food security, industrial development, sustainable agriculture and economic growth.
Speaking during the conference, the Vice-Chancellor of FUTA, Professor Adenike Temidayo Oladiji, commended Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods for their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial sectors, describing the organisations as practical examples of how private sector investment can successfully complement academic research and technological innovation.
She noted that the organisations have demonstrated the capacity to translate innovation into measurable socio-economic impact through improved food systems, job creation, and community development.
While receiving the Agbeyewa and Matna delegation led by the General Manager, Agronomy/Farm Operations, Babatunde Akinsinde; Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, Rotimi Wusu; Marketing and Communications Specialist, Adeyemi Oluwasegun; and Communications Officer, Micheal Benson, Professor Oladiji disclosed that the University is eager to deepen collaboration with both organisations as part of its commitment to strengthening industry-academia linkages. According to her, FUTA intends to organise a strategic visit to Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods to provide faculty members, researchers, and students with firsthand exposure to modern agricultural practices, mechanised farming, large-scale cassava cultivation, advanced processing technologies, and value-chain development.
She explained that the proposed engagement would create opportunities for research collaboration, knowledge exchange and practical learning capable of addressing real-world challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Taiwo Amos, emphasised the University’s readiness to partner with Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods, noting that FUTA possesses extensive research expertise and academic resources that can contribute significantly to solving challenges confronting agriculture and food systems.
He further revealed that the University has available land suitable for collaborative agricultural research, field trials and demonstration farms, expressing confidence that such partnerships would accelerate innovation and improve agricultural productivity.
One of the major highlights of the conference was the Annual Lecture titled “Science and Technology: Bedrock of National Development,” delivered on behalf of the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), Dr. Mohammed Aminu Mohammed, by his Special Technical Assistant, Professor Emmanuel Raymond.
According to him, agriculture remains one of Nigeria’s greatest opportunities for economic transformation, with the potential to generate employment, strengthen food security, and reduce poverty when supported by innovation, research and strategic partnerships.
Earlier, the Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Professor Muftau K. Oladunmoye, lauded Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods for their remarkable achievements in cassava cultivation, processing, and agro-industrial development.
He noted that the school has closely followed the organisations’ growth trajectory and considers them outstanding examples of how visionary leadership, innovation, and sustained investment can transform agriculture into a catalyst for national economic development.
The Agbeyewa and Matna delegation showcased the organisations’ integrated cassava value chain model, highlighting achievements spanning large-scale commercial cultivation, improved seed systems, mechanisation, industrial processing, value addition, food production, employment creation, and rural economic development.
