The Oyo State government has taken a major step toward restoring cocoa production as a central pillar of its economy with the approval of ₦3,030,292,472 for the launch of a comprehensive Cocoa Rejuvenation Project. The initiative represents one of the most ambitious agricultural revitalisation efforts undertaken by the state in recent years and reflects a broader commitment to reposition Oyo as a leading player in Nigeria’s cocoa value chain.
According to the state authorities, the project will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership framework, ensuring that both government institutions and private sector experts contribute to expanding productivity, improving yields, and modernising cocoa farming techniques. The Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency will coordinate the programme in close collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, leveraging their technical expertise and extensive research capabilities.
State officials emphasised that Oyo State currently ranks as the fourth-largest cocoa producer among Nigeria’s 18 cocoa-producing states, and the government intends to build on that position. They also noted that global disruptions in cocoa supply—particularly the severe production challenges facing Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire—have created a unique opportunity for other producers to fill emerging gaps in the international market. Oyo State hopes to seize this opportunity by expanding its production capacity and attracting investments into cultivation, processing, and export.
To achieve these goals, the rejuvenation project—valued at $2,075,547—will be financed in three phases across a three-year period. The state government believes that a phased approach will allow for sustained implementation, monitoring, and adaptation as the project progresses.
Beyond agriculture, the State Executive Council deliberated on several other key policy areas. It reiterated its support for the long-standing call by South-West governors for the establishment of state police. According to the council, dwindling interest among young Nigerians in joining the armed forces has made it increasingly necessary to strengthen local security structures that can respond swiftly to grassroots threats.
The council also commended Governor Seyi Makinde for investing in state security operations, particularly through the purchase of two surveillance aircraft designed to improve aerial monitoring. The aircraft are expected to enhance security coverage in remote and high-risk areas. In addition, the state reaffirmed its ongoing backing for the Amotekun Corps, which has grown to become one of the most effective and well-equipped regional security outfits in the South-West.
In the health sector, the council gave approval for the utilisation of €50 million allocated for the Oyo State Health Care Initiative, a loan previously negotiated with the French government. The facility, intended for the upgrade of public hospitals, the acquisition of medical equipment, and general strengthening of health infrastructure, recently received final approval from federal authorities, enabling the state to proceed with its implementation plans. The State House of Assembly has also endorsed the initiative, clearing the administrative pathway for the funds’ release.
The council further adopted the Oyo State Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Policy, a crucial step that positions the state to gain access to funding from the Federal Government, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and other development partners. The policy aims to eliminate open defecation, expand access to safe sanitation, and embed hygiene education at the community level. Officials described it as a foundational strategy that will significantly improve public health outcomes across the state.
Another major approval granted by the council was the establishment of the Oyo State Climate Action Plans and Policies, which will guide the state’s response to climate-related risks and support the adoption of environmentally friendly energy solutions. As part of the initiative, a Green Energy Agency will be engaged to implement the strategies, backed by a ₦270 million bank guarantee to ensure credibility and financial stability.
In addition, the council endorsed the Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan for 2026, which is required for the state’s participation in national-level business reform programmes. To meet the eligibility criteria, the sum of ₦400 million was approved for the implementation of activities under the plan. The reforms are expected to enhance the ease of doing business, improve the investment climate, and stimulate private enterprise within the state.
Altogether, the approvals reflect a broad and coordinated effort by the Oyo State government to strengthen agriculture, bolster security, modernise healthcare, improve sanitation, promote environmental sustainability, and create a more business-friendly economy. The collection of projects underscores the state’s long-term development priorities and its commitment to driving growth through strategic investments across multiple sectors.
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