NALDA Strengthens Partnership with Agbeyewa Farms to Advance Agricultural Expansion and Rural Economic Growth.

NALDA Strengthens Partnership with Agbeyewa Farms to Advance Agricultural Expansion and Rural Economic Growth.

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening strategic agricultural development partnerships with Agbeyewa Farms as part of efforts to accelerate large-scale food production, youth empowerment, and rural economic transformation in Nigeria.

As part of the engagement, the management team of Agbeyewa Farms was taken on a facility tour of the NALDA Farm Estate located in Oke-Ako Community, Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The estate spans 1,200 hectares of farmland earmarked for cultivation by Agbeyewa Farms under the partnership arrangement.

The visit served as a follow-up to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NALDA and Agbeyewa Farms in Abuja in November 2025. The agreement includes the cultivation and management of the 1,200-hectare farmland for NALDA, with Agbeyewa Farms designated as the anchor operator for the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estate in Ekiti State.

Under the arrangement, Agbeyewa Farms is expected to drive operations across the agricultural hub, supporting mechanized farming, value chain development, and job creation within the host communities. Already, over 600 hectares of land have been cleared to support the expansion phase of the project.

Speaking during the visit, the Ekiti State Coordinator of NALDA, Mr. Olusegun Ayeni, said, “This initiative reflects NALDA’s mandate to open up agricultural land and partner with serious investors who can drive productivity at scale. Our collaboration with Agbeyewa Farms is a clear example of how strategic partnerships can translate into tangible agricultural development on the ground.”

In his remarks, the MD/CEO, Seyi OSKA Aiyeleso, on behalf of the Agbeyewa Farms Chairman, Mr Niyi John Olajide appreciated the Executive Secretary of NALDA Mr. Olusegun Cornelius Adebayo for enhancing and advancing the Private Public Partnership in Ekiti State and indeed Nigeria, this relationship will continue to serve as an encouragement and long lasting alliance between the two sectors of Nigerian Economy. 

During the inspection tour, both parties also addressed security concerns within the operational corridor, emphasizing the need to strengthen protective measures to safeguard personnel, infrastructure, and investments across the estate. At the same time, the delegation reviewed ongoing infrastructure development within the farm settlement, including hostel accommodations and other support facilities currently under construction for workers, alongside additional mechanized support systems being deployed to enhance productivity and operational efficiency.

The partnership continues to position both institutions as key drivers of cassava value chain development, mechanized farming expansion, and inclusive rural prosperity across Ekiti State and beyond.

2026: Oyebanji is tested, trusted for second term, says Labour Unions.

2026: Oyebanji is tested, trusted for second term, says Labour Unions.

Organised labour unions in Ekiti State have thrown their weight behind the second term ambition of Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji in the forthcoming poll.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday, during the interactive S'etigbo multicast, anchored by the Bureau of Community Communications, the Nigeria Labour Congress State Chairman, Olatunde Kolapo noted that the governor has prioritised the welfare of workers in the state. 

He declared that Governor Oyebanji has proven to be tested and trusted since the inception of his administration, describing him as a worker-friendly governor. 

According to him, "Workers in Ekiti State are giving Governor Oyebanji full support because he ascended to the request and erased the request of workers in Ekiti State. 

"One is the prompt payment of salary, defrayed past arrears of salary, payment of gratuity, ensuring that leave bonuses are given attention to, increment in subventions to institutions, gross employment of teachers in primary and secondary schools and various employments that are ongoing."

On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Kayode Fatomiluyi urged Ekiti workers to mobilise voters across the nooks and crannies of the state for the re-election of the governor. 

"The governor has been proactive and he has taken the welfare of workers at heart. When such things are done, you expect workers to reciprocate the gesture in the June 20 election. 

"We are expecting workers to come out enmasse and mobilise their household, church members, peer groups and everyone that is eligible to vote for the governor as a way of repaying the good things he has done."

Ekiti Targets 5,000 Youths for Poultry, Agribusiness Development.

Ekiti Targets 5,000 Youths for Poultry, Agribusiness Development.

The Ekiti State Government says it has commenced a strategic initiative to engage 5,000 youths in poultry production and agribusiness as part of efforts to boost food security, create jobs and strengthen the agricultural value chain in the state.

 

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, disclosed this on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during a five-day capacity development programme on Good Animal Husbandry Practices under the Ekiti State Broiler Production Scheme.

 

Boluwade said the programme was designed to equip participants with technical skills and agribusiness knowledge needed to thrive in modern poultry production.

 

He said the initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) Project, was aimed at increasing youth participation in commercial poultry production.

 

According to him, the programme aligns with the state government’s long-term vision of transforming agriculture from subsistence farming to a structured and market-driven enterprise.

 

The commissioner revealed that the state was also advancing plans to deploy poultry infrastructure with a cumulative poultry pens capacity of 300,000 birds under the L-PRES framework. This will guarantee a minimum of 1 million birds to be raised up to table size in a year.

 

He said the investment would significantly expand production capacity, ensure steady supply and strengthen market linkages across the poultry value chain.

Boluwade reiterated the government’s commitment to building a competitive agro-allied sector, noting that the strategy covered production, processing, value addition and market integration.

“Our priority is to institutionalise a full-spectrum agribusiness model that integrates production, processing and commercialisation while positioning youths as key drivers of agricultural transformation in the state,” he said.

Ekiti State Broilers Production Scheme (EBOPS) since inception in 2023 has engaged about 500 youths, raised more than 250,000 birds to table size, made sufficient profit and presently in 7 hubs from the Erinfun the starting point.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Babatope Ojo, represented by the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mr Bunmi Oluwalana, described capacity building as critical to sustainable livestock development.

He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training to improve productivity and profitability.

Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator for L-PRES, Mr Olayinka Adedipe, said the programme formed part of broader efforts to strengthen livestock systems through infrastructure development and human capital investment.

Some participants, including Mrs Yemi Abosede and Mr Oluwaseun Osho, described the training as timely and impactful.

They said the knowledge acquired would help expand their businesses and contribute to the growth of the state’s agricultural sector.

2027: No credible alternative to President Tinubu, says Oyebanji.

2027: No credible alternative to President Tinubu, says Oyebanji.

…As SWAGA 2.0 is launched in Ekiti.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said there is no credible alternative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election, stressing that the President’s reforms have boosted the fortunes of  the sub-nationals, and improved infrastructure across the country, thereby  making many states to clamour for his re-election for a second term in office.

Oyebanji also said the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State would be a celebration of democracy owing to the high level of support he continues to receive from the electorate, adding that the election would only parade opponents without opposition.

Governor Oyebanji, stated these in Ado- Ekiti on Wednesday during the launch of the Southwest Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA 2.0), a support group for President Bola Tinubu’s second term in office. 

The event which took place at the Eagle Hall, Ado Ekiti was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; former Governor Segun Oni; Chairman, Nigeria Ports Authority, Senator Dayo Adeyeye who is the National Chairman of SWAGA, Managing Director of Federal Housing Authority, Hon Oyetunde Ojo and leaders of the group from across the six Southwest states. 

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the colourful event, Governor Oyebajji said President Tinubu  was fully prepared for governance. This, he said reflects in the courageous decisions he has taken which have helped reposition the country’s economy and the attendant stability. 

The Governor, who said he had to shelve his campaign activities scheduled for Wednesday to be part of the event in view of its importance, said Ekiti people are solidly with the President and would vote massively for his re- election in the January 2027 election. 

Stressing that no President in the history of the country has been as fair to Ekiti State as President Tinubu, Governor Oyebanii said but for the President’s reforms that freed some funds to the sub nationals, he would not have been able to achieve much in terms of infrastructure development in the state. 

He therefore sought the assistance of the leadership of the group to express appreciation to the President on behalf of Ekiti state. 

"Before I go into my short remarks, let me publicly say that I am very grateful to the President, please thank him on behalf of Ekiti people. And I'm saying this publicly because we are 29 years old as a state, no president has been this good to us in Ekiti. And I'm pleading with you to please help us thank him.

“I'm sure by the time we get to the poll; you will know that we are SWAGA- compliant here. And like our leaders said, June 20 election in Ekiti State is going to be a celebration of democracy. 

“Many people have been asking us, why did you take this thing so seriously? Because the truth of the matter is that we have opponents, we don't have opposition. There are characters that want to be governor, fantastic, It's their right, but the aggregate of all those people can't scratch anything from the party in the state. So, we see them as opponents, but they are not opposition. But in spite of that, we have taken this campaign as if our life and our future depend on it.”

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said  that the June 20 election in the state has a number of implications including the August's election in Osun State as well as the Presidential election in January, 2027 which invariably will tell the people in other regions that the president is a prophet that is valued and honoured at home. 

He added  that his remarkable performance will ginger Osun electorates to also win resoundingly.

Earlier, the Chairman of SWAGA, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said the group came back to the state with the primary purpose of garnering support for Governor Oyebanji in his bid to make remarkable impact in the forthcoming election as well mobilize massively for President Tinubu’s second term.

While asserting that the Governor had already won the election, he assured him that the whole machinery of the group will concentrate all its efforts in the state till after the election to ensure that the Governor fulfil the benchmark of at least 500,000 votes as well as set a record of winning in all the electoral wards.

Prior to the event, Governor Oyebanji had received the leadership of SWAGA led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye on a courtesy visit at the Governor’s office.

Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji’s cabinet members donate N100 million to re-election campaign.

Ekiti 2026: Oyebanji’s cabinet members donate N100 million to re-election campaign.

Ahead of the June 20 governorship election, members of the Ekiti State Executive Council on Wednesday donated the sum of N100 million to the re-election campaign of the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji. 

The council members described the donation as a token of their love and support for the Governor’s second term bid. 

Making the donation on behalf of their colleagues during a brief meeting at the State Executive Council Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro and Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Jide Awe, said members were delighted to be part of the Governor’s team and are committed to his re-election for a second term in office. 

“Your Excellency, you are a man of history and we consider it a great privilege to be part of your impactful administration. This is our little way of showing our love, support and commitment to your re-election on June 20. We shall continue to work assiduously to ensure you win overwhelmingly and become the first Governor to be elected back- to- back in our dear state”, they said.

Responding Governor Oyebanji thanked the EXCO members for the gesture, which he described as a show of love and solidarity. 

“My profound appreciation to you all for this huge donation. I have been around for a while, I don’t think any EXCO has ever made such a huge donation to the re- election of any Governor. Yes, they’ve always made donations, but none has been as huge as this. 

“I am so grateful for your love and support.”, he added. 

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, who is also the Secretary to the Campaign Council, Mr Niyi Adebayo confirmed that the amount has been received into the account of the campaign council.

The Coordinator of the Welfare Committee of the EXCO, Prof Akeem Azeez, thanked members for their generous contributions, which,  according to him,  made the donation possible.

Ekiti Governor’s Aide, Adetoun Agboola, to Keynote 2026 AISEN Teachers Conference.

Ekiti Governor’s Aide, Adetoun Agboola, to Keynote 2026 AISEN Teachers Conference.

The Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN) has announced Princess Adetoun Funmilayo Agboola, the Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Special Education and Social Inclusion, as the keynote speaker for its upcoming 2026 Teachers Conference. The event, themed "Advancing Inclusive Education in Our Schools," is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026, at Chrisland School, Opebi-Ikeja, Lagos, starting at 10:00 AM.

Agboola, a seasoned educator and policy leader, brings over 20 years of experience to the podium. Her career has spanned classroom practice, curriculum development, and senior leadership roles, most notably at Greensprings School in Lagos. She is also the founder of Plumcare Educational Services, an organization dedicated to helping families and institutions build robust support systems for learners with disabilities. 

In her current role within the Ekiti State Government, Agboola has been a driving force behind initiatives aimed at enhancing the visibility and opportunities for persons with disabilities, ensuring that equity remains a cornerstone of state policy.

An alumna of the University of Ibadan, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Special Education, Agboola is currently pursuing a PhD in her field. Her expertise is further backed by international certifications in public policy, educational leadership, speech and language support, and inclusive teaching practices. The AISEN leadership expressed high expectations for the session, noting that Agboola’s unique blend of practical classroom insight and high-level policy experience will offer invaluable perspectives to the teaching community as they work to make Nigerian learning environments more accessible and equitable.

HEAVEYWEIGHT MOBILIZATION: HON. IBRAHIM KUNLE OLAREWAJU STUNS OPPOSITION AS GOV. OYEBANJI’S CAMPAIGN TRAIN HITS EKITI NORTH II.

HEAVEYWEIGHT MOBILIZATION: HON. IBRAHIM KUNLE OLAREWAJU STUNS OPPOSITION AS GOV. OYEBANJI’S CAMPAIGN TRAIN HITS EKITI NORTH II.

 In what many political analysts have described as a definitive statement of grassroots dominance, Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju, the leading aspirant for the APC Ekiti North Constituency II Federal House of Representatives ticket, today staged a massive show of force as Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s campaign train moved through Ilejemeje, Moba, and Ido-Osi Local Government Areas.

Today’s events served as a stark testament to Olarewaju’s sweeping popularity, leaving opposition figures looking like political orphans in the face of an unprecedented sea of supporters.

The momentum reached a fever pitch in Otun-Ekiti, Olarewaju’s hometown, where the mobilization was nothing short of historic. All major roads were effectively blocked by a jubilant crowd, and in a symbolic display of total control, not a single opposition banner was visible throughout the town. The atmosphere was purely "Olarewaju territory," signaling a unified front behind his candidacy.

The success story continued in Ido-Osi, which many observers called the "icing on the cake." As the Governor’s entourage arrived, the name "IBO" rented the air, echoing through the streets in a deafening chorus of endorsement. The reception was so overwhelming that His Excellency, Governor Oyebanji, openly saluted Hon. Olarewaju, acknowledging the sheer scale of the organization and the deep-rooted loyalty of the people.

In Ilejemeje, described as an extension of Olarewaju’s home, the synergy was equally potent, bolstered by the presence and support of Hon. Olabode Folorunsho, further cementing the aspirant's grip on the constituency.

Reacting to the successful outing, Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju expressed profound gratitude to his followers for their unwavering dedication. He described the massive turnout as a "covenant of loyalty" to the Oyebanji administration and his own legislative ambition.

"This is just the beginning," Olarewaju stated while addressing the crowd. "I charge you all to go back to the trenches and continue mobilizing the grassroots. Our target remains firm: we will deliver 150,000 votes and above for Mr. Governor and the APC. We must ensure that the message of continuity reaches every household."

With the campaign train now moving forward, the events of Ekiti North II have sent a clear message across the state: Hon. Ibrahim Kunle Olarewaju has not only secured his base but has redefined the standard of political mobilization in the constituency.