The Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Adesina Lanre Ogunsola, has taken a significant step toward transforming the council area into a major agro-industrial hub, hosting a high-powered delegation from South Africa’s Izindonga Group and Maya Foods for a strategic investment engagement.
The five-day official visit, led by the Chief Executive Officer, Zakhele Maya, signals the beginning of a proposed partnership aimed at replicating a technology-driven, integrated agricultural system in Obafemi Owode, Ogun State.
Speaking during the reception at Owode-Egba, Ogunsola expressed appreciation to the visiting team, recalling his December 2025 trip to South Africa where he studied the group’s operations and agribusiness model. According to him, the visit inspired a vision to establish a similar system locally—one that seamlessly integrates production, processing, and value chain development.
“What motivated this initiative is the deliberate inclusion of smallholder farmers through an outgrower scheme supported by modern infrastructure, access to finance, and efficient market linkages,” Ogunsola said.
He explained that the partnership aligns with the broader development agenda of Ogun State under Governor Dapo Abiodun, as well as federal government efforts to enhance food security and economic diversification.
Ogunsola reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming Obafemi Owode into a leading agro-industrial centre, leveraging its fertile land, strategic location, and growing population.
“We are committed to driving food security, empowering youths, creating employment opportunities, and increasing internally generated revenue through this initiative,” he stated.
The council chairman also assured investors of a business-friendly environment, promising access to farmland, community cooperation, adequate security, and the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Responding, Maya described the engagement as a landmark moment in forging a long-term partnership between two African entities. He noted that confidence in the project had significantly increased following Ogunsola’s visit to South Africa.
“This is our first direct investment engagement in Nigeria, and the chairman’s commitment and leadership have reinforced our resolve to move forward with clarity and strategic focus,” Maya said.
He added that Izindonga Group, established in 2004, has evolved into a fully integrated agribusiness enterprise spanning poultry production, food processing, logistics, and manufacturing, with a vision of advancing Africa from primary production to industrial-scale agriculture.
“Our engagement here is not transactional—it is strategic and long-term. Ogun State stands out as a viable investment destination with strong leadership and policy alignment,” he emphasized.
In his goodwill message, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Public Works, Akeem Babatunde Adesina, commended Ogunsola’s developmental strides, noting that his performance has surpassed previous benchmarks set over a decade ago.
Traditional and political leaders, including Oba Aremu Fatai Sowemimo, Olu of Owode-Egba, and other stakeholders present at the event, also lauded the initiative, describing it as a major catalyst for economic growth in the region.
The partnership is expected to unlock large-scale agricultural investments, strengthen value chains, and position Obafemi Owode as a key player in Nigeria’s agro-industrial landscape.
