In a renewed push to deepen its agro-industrial base and gain a firmer foothold in regional and continental markets, the Oyo State Government on Wednesday unveiled a range of export-ready, value-added food products. The launch event, which held at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives’ Conference Room at the Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, marked a significant step in the state’s broader efforts to position its agricultural output for international competitiveness.
The initiative was championed by the Agricultural Exporting Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society, under the oversight of the state’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives. The products on display are tailored to meet global standards, with the state government emphasizing its readiness to implement rigorous quality control measures to ensure compliance with export requirements.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Adeniyi Adebisi, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mamud Okesade, announced plans to establish a Directorate of Quality Control within the ministry. He explained that the new unit would be responsible for overseeing standardisation procedures and ensuring that products from the state meet international export criteria.
Adebisi noted that restructuring cooperative frameworks to align with modern market realities and investor expectations was a crucial step in driving agro-industrialisation. According to him, “The need to reform cooperative structures to meet present-day realities and investor expectations cannot be overemphasised. This is not just about export—it’s about building resilience, competitiveness, and unlocking trade opportunities for Oyo on a continental scale.”
As part of its continued reform agenda, the state also inaugurated a new Board of Directors for the Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters Limited (ANCE), with a call for transparency, teamwork, and innovative thinking in unlocking the global export market. The commissioner assured the newly constituted board of the government’s unflinching support as they work toward achieving critical performance benchmarks.
The event drew participation from key national agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and the Bank of Agriculture. These agencies lauded the association’s organisational structure and regulatory compliance, promising technical support, access to funding, and facilitation of trade channels.
In his inaugural address, the newly elected ANCE President, Mr. Kola Olomoyoyo, pledged to build upon the gains made by his predecessor, particularly in strengthening the cooperative’s export base in cocoa and palm kernel products. He also revealed plans to scale up diversification into other sectors, including livestock feed and bottled water production, thereby widening the cooperative’s export portfolio.
This development is viewed by many as a strong signal that Oyo State is not only serious about boosting agricultural productivity but also focused on integrating its farmers and cooperatives into the global value chain through structured trade reforms and sustained government backing.
