Matna Foods Partners Ondo State Government To Boost Youth and Women's Participation in Agriculture.

Matna Foods Partners Ondo State Government To Boost Youth and Women's Participation in Agriculture.

From L-R: Ondo State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Seun Bosede Osamaye, MD/CEO of Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods, Mr. Oska Seyi Aiyeleso, Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Honourable Engineer Olaleye Akinola and Ondo State Commissioner for Youth & Sports Development Hon. Segun Omoyofunmmi during their visit to Matna Foods factory in Ogbese, Akure, Ondo State.

Matna Foods Company Limited is strengthening efforts to drive economic empowerment and job creation in Ondo State through strategic collaboration with key government ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Women Affairs, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. The partnership aligns with the implementation of the Women in Sourcing and Enterprise (WISE) Program, an initiative designed to empower 3,000 youth outgrower farmers — with 80 percent expected to be young women between the ages of 18 and 35 — through active participation in the cassava value chain.

The program is implemented in partnership with the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta Foundation and will support farmers with access to improved inputs, technical training, and guaranteed market opportunities through processing facilities such as Matna Foods.

The collaboration was highlighted during a stakeholder engagement session at the Matna Foods facility, where leaders of the ministries reaffirmed their commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young people, promote gender inclusion, and strengthen rural livelihoods. The engagement forms part of broader efforts to ensure that agricultural investments translate into sustainable employment opportunities, strengthen rural economies, and expand opportunities for women and youth across the state.

In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of Matna Foods Company Limited and Agbeyewa Farms, Mr. Oska Seyi Aiyeleso, emphasized that the WISE Program is designed to create long-term economic value while strengthening local agricultural supply chains. “This initiative is about building a sustainable ecosystem that empowers farmers while ensuring reliable feedstock for agro-processing. By connecting young farmers directly to structured markets, we are not only creating jobs but also laying the foundation for inclusive agricultural growth that benefits communities across Ondo State,” Aiyeleso said.

He further highlighted the vision of the Chairman of Cavista Holdings, Niyi John Olajide, who remains deeply committed to contributing to Nigeria’s development through strategic investments. According to Aiyeleso, John Olajide believes that business is a force for good that can be used to transform lives and strengthen communities. “The Chairman is passionate about creating opportunities for Nigerians. John Olajide he noted has a clear focus — create jobs, create more jobs, and further create more jobs for Nigerians as a pathway to economic empowerment and national development which has been implanted with Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods, he said.  

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. (Engr.) Olaleye Akinola, emphasized the importance of partnerships between government and private sector investors in expanding agricultural production and supporting farmers. “Agriculture remains a key pillar of economic development in Ondo State. Through initiatives like this, we can mobilize land, technical expertise, and extension support to empower farmers and ensure a steady supply of raw materials for agro-processing companies such as Matna Foods. The ministry will continue to work closely with stakeholders to ensure the success of programs that strengthen the cassava value chain,” Akinola said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Seun Bosede Osamaye, commended Matna Foods for prioritizing women and vulnerable groups within its empowerment initiatives. “When we saw the structure of this initiative, particularly the focus on young women and other vulnerable groups, it became clear that it aligns strongly with the mandate of our ministry. Programs like this create meaningful opportunities for women to achieve economic independence and contribute to the development of their communities,” Osamaye noted.

From L-R: Mrs. Seyialade Muyiwa-Bello, Senior People Specialist, Matna Foods, Mr. Femi Omotuyi, Vice President Operations Matna Foods, Hon. Rotimi Wemimo Akinsola, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Mr. Oska Seyi Aiyeleso, MD/CEO Agbeyewa Farms and Matna Foods and Mr. Ayo Obe, Manager Community Engagement Matna foods during the visit of the SSA to Matna Foods in Ogbese, Akure Ondo State.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Segun Omoyofunmmi, highlighted the importance of agriculture as a pathway for youth empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. “Our priority as a ministry is to ensure that young people are provided with opportunities that take them off the streets and position them for self-reliance. Agriculture offers tremendous potential for employment, and initiatives like the one being driven by Matna Foods help equip young people with the skills and opportunities needed to become productive members of the economy,” he stated.

Supporting the initiative, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness,  Hon. Wemimo Akinsola, assured Matna leadership of the Ondo State Government’s support and security protection in sustaining the organization’s agricultural investments in the state. He noted that ensuring the safety of farming communities and agricultural facilities would encourage investors like Matna Foods while enabling programs like WISE to scale effectively and reach more young farmers and women across rural communities.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Ondo State Disability Board, Eniola Olusola, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that it reflects a strong commitment to inclusive development. He commended Matna Foods for creating employment opportunities for people across Ondo State, including persons living with disabilities. According to him, initiatives that intentionally create opportunities for vulnerable groups help ensure that economic growth is inclusive and that no segment of society is left behind.

Providing further insight into the initiative, Project Coordinator Ayo Obe explained that the WISE Program is structured to run for 39 months, supporting participants through two cultivation cycles. 

Beneficiaries will begin with 0.4 hectares of farmland, with the opportunity to expand production in subsequent phases as they gain experience and capacity. According to Obe, the program will combine farmer training, extension support, and structured market access through Matna Foods’ processing operations to ensure sustainable participation in the cassava value chain and contribute to long-term economic growth in Ondo State.