How Agriculture Became Dapo Abiodun’s Tool For Economic Success In Ogun State

When Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man, first started his business empire, it was solely focused on agricultural commodities: sugar, flour, salt, and rice. Years later, even after diversifying into oil refining and cement manufacturing, his sugar, rice, and flour operations remain cornerstones of his business empire, generating billions of naira annually.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo also built a strong and economically prosperous Western Region in the 1950s through aggressive agricultural development. Cocoa farms across Ogun, Ondo, and Oyo financed free education, free healthcare, and powered the region's industrial revolution. Awolowo understood what many governments forget: agriculture's power extends far beyond production. It provides economic infrastructure, government revenue, mass employment, and foreign exchange to any region.

A nation that cannot feed itself will remain perpetually dependent and vulnerable. Thomas Sankara, Burkina Faso's visionary leader, articulated this clearly:

"He who feeds you, controls you. Therefore, we must produce what we consume and consume what we produce."

Agriculture Is More Than Just Farming

Globally, growth in the agricultural sector is 2-3 times more effective in reducing poverty than equivalent growth in other sectors. In Nigeria, before commercial crude oil discovery in the 1950s, agriculture accounted for more than 60% of GDP and employed up to 70% of the labour force. Today, it contributes 25.2% to Nigeria's GDP, ensures food security for over 200 million people, supplies raw materials for industries, and generates vital foreign exchange through exports of cocoa, cassava, cashew, ginger, and palm oil.

For Ogun State, a region blessed with fertile lands, favourable weather, and a strong labour force, Governor Dapo Abiodun recognises agriculture's potential not just as a livelihood, but as the foundation for economic transformation.

Driving Economic Growth In Ogun State Using Agriculture

In 2019, when Prince Dapo Abiodun assumed office as Governor of Ogun state, the state's internally generated revenue stood at N70.9 billion. By 2024, it had surged to N194.93 billion, a staggering 270% increase. Similarly, the state's gross domestic product grew from N3.5 trillion to N18.9 trillion in the same period.

According to him, the tool behind this economic fiscal explosion was making agriculture the core of his developmental strategy. Not just for food provision, but also for job creation, revenue generation and economic growth.

When Aliko Dangote paid a courtesy visit to the government house in Abeokuta on March 17, 2025, his words reflected what many had observed;

"I must really thank you, Your Excellency, for bringing economic development to Ogun State. Having seen what you have done and knowing that you are silently doing great work, we came back to Ogun State."

What Dangote saw under the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is the transformation of agriculture from a subsistence practice to an economic powerhouse. This was possible through strategic investment, public-private partnerships, and farmer empowerment. And has resulted in Ogun State emerging as one of Nigeria's fastest-growing economies, powered not by oil or federal government allocation, but by farms, fish ponds, cassava and rice fields and others.

Governor Dapo Abiodun's development agenda rests on five pillars code-named I.S.E.Y.A: Infrastructure, Social Welfare, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Agriculture. Since he assumed office, he has successfully prioritised agricultural farming not as a standalone sector, but as an integral component of economic growth. The results have exceeded expectations and attracted national attention. Ogun State now produces nearly 139,901 tonnes of cassava annually. Rice production has scaled to industrial levels, with facilities like Fortis Rice Farm in Mowe producing 1,400 metric tonnes quarterly and generating an estimated N1 billion in revenue within 3 months.

This agricultural transformation didn't happen by accident. It was carefully orchestrated through the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP). The OGSTEP was founded in 2020 in collaboration with the World Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria's Anchor Borrowers Programme. OGSTEP was designed to move farmers from subsistence to profitability. With an initial target of 40,000 farmers, the programme has directly benefited 42,828 farmers across Abeokuta, Ikenne, Ilaro, and Ijebu zones. The scale of OGSTEP support is unprecedented:

● 226,477 units of cassava stems to cassava farmers.

● 198,869 bags of fish feed to aquaculture operators.

● 74,183 bags of poultry feed to poultry farmers.

● 17,045 bags of fertiliser and 87,115 litres of agrochemicals

● Mechanisation of 8,922 hectares of farmland.

Dapo Abiodun’s OGSTEP also goes beyond the provision of inputs. Farmers have received subsidies of up to 65% for land clearing and 50% for purchasing stems, herbicides, pesticides, and fertilisers. This subsidy structure enabled farmers to scale production beyond survival levels, transforming farming from a subsistence activity into a profitable business.

Fish Farming in Ogun State

The Ise Ya and Ado-Odo Ota Fish Farms illustrate OGSTEP's practical impact. Through this scheme, 4,222 fish farmers received subsidised high-quality feed. The programme achieved three simultaneous outcomes: lowering production costs for farmers, stabilising market prices for consumers, and increasing profit margins for small-scale business owners.

Similar interventions were also made in poultry through the Ijebu-Ode Agric Farm and Ikenne Poultry Farm, where thousands of poultry farmers received subsidised feed and technical support.

Food Security and Economic Revenue Through Cassava and Rice Production in Ogun

Under Governor Dapo Abiodun, cassava production has reached an industrial scale. Through partnerships with the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme, 4,565 cassava farmers, including those at Ipokia and Ilaro Ado-Odo farms, have received government support that made commercial production viable.

The 80-hectare Ipokia cassava farm in Ifonyintedo and the 16-hectare Ilaro Ado-Odo farm demonstrate these, where significant government subsidies have enabled farmers to clear land, purchase quality stems, and apply proper agrochemicals. The result is consistent, high-yield production that feeds facilities and generates millions in revenue.

Similarly, rice production has experienced massive growth and revitalisation. Through CBN collaboration, 1,162 rice farmers have received support, and facilities like Fortis Rice Farm have demonstrated what industrial-scale production can look like. The 200-hectare Mowe facility produces short grain, long grain, and parboiled rice varieties, and serves as both a production site and a collection point for rice paddy, ensuring quality control and creating a reliable market for smallholder farmers.

Economic Growth Through Agricultural Job Creation and Human Empowerment

Perhaps the most significant achievement is making agriculture attractive to the youth. Over 26,540 jobs have been created by linking young people directly to farmlands and agricultural programmes. This represents a fundamental shift where agriculture is no longer seen as a last resort for those who couldn't find jobs, but as a viable career path offering financial stability and growth potential.

Hon Bolu Owotomo, Commissioner for Agriculture, noted the administration's ambition:

"This government started with a benchmark registration of 80,000 people for agricultural opportunities. That is unprecedented."

Securing the Future of Ogun State Through Agriculture

The fight against hunger and poverty is ongoing, but Governor Dapo Abiodun has positioned agriculture as Ogun State's primary weapon. Through OGSTEP and strategic partnerships, farmers who once struggled alone now access government and private sector support.

With continued investment in mechanisation, modern farming techniques, and market linkages, Ogun State is building an agricultural sector capable of feeding its people, supplying to neighbouring states, and generating sustainable wealth for years to come.

The transformation and growth in IGR tell the story in numbers, but the real story is in the lives of the thousands of farmers and employees who now see agriculture not only as subsistence, but as a tool for wealth creation.

(SPONSORED)

Source: Legit.ng