Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has committed his administration to sustaining collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to bolster food security, youth empowerment, and land reforms in the state.
The governor gave the assurance while hosting a team led by the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain, on a courtesy visit in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa expressed satisfaction with the progress of the programme since its launch in July 2024, commending FAO for its support, which includes providing tools like Geographic Information System (GIS) for forest mapping, advocacy, and farmers’ training.
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Pledging the state’s readiness for further partnership, the governor highlighted areas such as land allocation for farmers, youth recruitment into agribusiness, and budgetary support for the projects.
He stressed the necessity of establishing land allocation committees at the local government level to address land scarcity and encroachment issues.
The governor noted that the disclosure of new funding opportunities would “open new avenues for development in the agric sector.”
Speaking on the challenge of land availability, Aiyedatiwa emphasised the importance of local government land allocation committees to “guarantee ownership and reduce land grabbing and encroachment.”
He also expressed a resolve to engage younger generations in agriculture.
“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,” the governor stated.
Earlier, the FAO Representative, Gadain, a Sudanese national, thanked the governor and the people of the state for the partnership.
He explained that his visit was to assess the progress of FAO’s interventions and identify new areas of cooperation aligned with the state’s priorities in food security, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and natural resources management.
Gadain confirmed the long-standing partnership between FAO and Nigeria, dating back to 1960.
He noted that the state is currently benefiting from two major ongoing projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF7): the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) project, and the Biodiversity project, which was approved in May 2025 and also covers Edo, Delta, and Ogun States.
FAO’s interventions in the state include setting up a GIS laboratory, reviving agricultural extension services, introducing farmer field and business schools, facilitating policy dialogue on land access, and establishing solar-powered nurseries to produce two million seedlings for agroforestry.
Gadain disclosed that over 3,800 hectares of degraded forests have been restored, and FAO is preparing to deliver an additional one million seedlings.
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He also pointed out that FAO’s interventions “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.”
The meeting was attended by key state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa; and the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Olaleye Akinola, among others.
