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Fasola, Oyo State – The Fasola Agribusiness Transformation Centre, ATC, Industrial Hub received resounding commendation on Monday, 11th May 2026, as students and faculty of the Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, FCFFT, New Bussa, toured the facility and described it as a practical benchmark for agricultural industrialisation and youth-led economic development in Nigeria.
The educational and industrial visit brought together future fisheries and agribusiness professionals to witness firsthand how Oyo State is translating policy into infrastructure, and infrastructure into jobs, investment, and food security. The delegation was led by lecturers and institutional representatives who joined the students in assessing the hub’s operations, innovation pipeline, and investment ecosystem.
During the tour, the FCFFT delegation was exposed to modern agribusiness practices, processing lines, cold chain facilities, and enterprise spaces designed to connect smallholder production to industrial markets. The students expressed admiration for the level of planning, engineering, and private sector participation evident across the hub.
According to the visitors, the Fasola model demonstrates how deliberate state intervention can de-risk agriculture, reduce post-harvest losses, and create value-addition opportunities that keep wealth within rural economies.
“What we have seen here is what agricultural transformation should look like in practice,” a student spokesperson said.
“The integration of production, processing, and market access, coupled with the focus on youth and entrepreneurship, makes Fasola a template other states and institutions should study and replicate.”
The students noted that the initiative directly addresses Nigeria’s food security challenge by strengthening local production capacity while preparing graduates for roles in agro-industrial value chains.
Receiving the delegation, Dr. Debo Akande, DBA, CMGR, FCMI, Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, OYSADA, and Executive Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Agribusiness and International Cooperation Development, attributed the hub’s progress to the governor’s clear vision and unwavering political commitment.
“The remarkable success of the Fasola Industrial Hub is a product of His Excellency Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde FNSE, DSc, GSSRS creating an enabling environment where investment, innovation, and policy alignment can thrive,” Dr. Akande said.
“Governor Makinde’s leadership has sent a clear signal to local and international investors that Oyo State is open for serious agribusiness. That is why we continue to see more investors signing up to take up spaces within the hub.”
Dr. Akande emphasized that the hub is structured to de-risk investment through shared infrastructure, regulatory support, and market linkages, making it attractive for both large-scale processors and emerging agri-SMEs.
Beyond showcasing infrastructure, the engagement served as a mentorship platform for the students. Dr. Akande urged them to become practical ambassadors of agribusiness by embracing innovation, entrepreneurship, and value-chain development.
“Agriculture must move beyond subsistence. It is now a business of technology, processing, branding, logistics, and finance,” he told the students.
“You are training at a time when the sector is being redefined. Position yourselves to lead the agro-industrial transformation Nigeria needs.”
He stressed that young professionals who understand both technical production and commercial operations will be critical to reducing Nigeria’s food import bill and creating export-ready value chains.
The OYSADA Director-General also highlighted the hub’s growing role in industrial tourism. He noted that the recent tour by participants of ITS Oyo State 2026 further projected Oyo State as a leading destination for agribusiness investment, innovation, and knowledge exchange in Africa.
“Exposure like this builds confidence,” Dr. Akande said. “When students, investors, and development partners see the systems working on the ground, it strengthens the case for more partnerships and more capital flowing into Oyo State.”
The visit concluded with words of appreciation from the students, who described the experience as enlightening, inspiring, and worthy of emulation by other states and tertiary institutions across the country. Many said the tour reshaped their understanding of agriculture, replacing outdated notions of subsistence farming with a vision of a technology-driven, enterprise-led sector.
The Fasola ATC Industrial Hub is a cornerstone of Governor Seyi Makinde’s strategy to use agribusiness as a lever for job creation, rural development, and economic diversification. By linking farmers, processors, financiers, and academia within a single ecosystem, the hub is positioning Oyo State to become Nigeria’s agro-industrial capital.
With increasing interest from academic institutions and investors, the hub is emerging as a reference point for how subnational governments can align policy, infrastructure, and human capital to deliver measurable outcomes in food systems transformation.
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