Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has assured the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations of his administration’s commitment to sustaining collaboration aimed at promoting food security, youth empowerment and land reforms in the state.
The Governor gave the assurance on Monday, September 29, 2025, in Akure while receiving a team led by the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, on a courtesy visit to his office.
He expressed delight at the progress made since the programme’s inauguration in July 2024, commending FAO for its support, particularly in providing tools such as GIS for forest mapping and in driving advocacy and farmers training.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the FAO of the state’s readiness to collaborate further, especially in areas of land allocation for farmers, youth recruitment into agribusiness and budgetary support for the projects, emphasizing the importance of setting up land allocation committees at the local government level to resolve issues of encroachment and land scarcity.
The Governor welcomed the disclosure of new funding opportunities for the state, noting that FAO’s intervention programmes would open new avenues for development in the agric sector.
On the challenge of land availability, Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasised the importance of local government land allocation committees to guarantee access for farmers and reduce encroachment.
“Land is a very scarce factor of production. Many people are looking for land for expansion, while new entrants are coming in and the land size remains the same. With the land allocation committee at the local government level, it will guarantee ownership and reduce land grabbing and encroachment.
“Most farmers are getting old. Before they retire, it is better to start training younger ones. We had Youth on Ridges in the last administration where land was provided and cleared for young people to farm. We need to revisit that deliberately and intentionally.
“By the time you visit again and we share progress, we would have moved from where we are now to another level. I want to thank you once again for coming, and I hope you enjoy your stay in Ondo State,” the Governor said.
Earlier, FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, expressed appreciation to the governor and people of Ondo State for the partnership with the organisation.
Gadain, a Sudanese national, explained that his visit was to review the progress of FAO’s interventions in Ondo State and explore new areas of collaboration in line with the state’s priorities in food security, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience and natural resources management.
He noted that FAO had enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Nigeria since 1960, with its country office established in 1978 and explained that Ondo State was benefitting from two major ongoing projects.
“The first is the GEF7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) project implemented in Ondo and Cross River States with a grant from the Global Environment Facility.
“The second, approved in May 2025, is the GEF7 Biodiversity project covering Ondo, Edo, Delta and Ogun States, aimed at conserving biodiversity, restoring degraded forests and supporting local livelihoods,” he said.
According to him, FAO’s interventions in Ondo State include the establishment of a GIS laboratory, revival of agricultural extension services, introduction of farmer field and business schools, policy dialogue on land access, and setting up of solar-powered nurseries to produce two million seedlings for agroforestry.
He disclosed that over 3,800 hectares of degraded forests had been restored and FAO was preparing to deliver another one million seedlings to the state.
“Our interventions also align with the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, which will enhance food security, create jobs, expand export revenue and strengthen ecosystem services in Ondo State,” he noted.
