Akeem Salawu, convener of the Ilana Mekunu movement in Oyo State, has called on the state government to ensure that the commitments made at the recently concluded Oyo State International Agribusiness Summit (OYSIAS 2025) translate into real economic benefits for youth and farmers rather than becoming another unfulfilled initiative.
In a statement issued on December 8, Salawu commended the major outcomes of the December 3–4 summit, including the unveiling of the “Grown in Oyo State” certification mark, the establishment of Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) in Ijaye and Eruwa, and several Memoranda of Understanding signed with institutions such as First Bank, UBA, the Belgian and Danish embassies, IITA and CRIN. However, he stressed that similar programmes in the past failed to improve the livelihoods of those they were meant for.
Salawu called on Governor Seyi Makinde to put in place a 90-day public action plan with timelines, budgets and clear milestones for implementing the initiatives announced at the summit. He further urged the administration to create a citizens’ oversight committee to monitor execution and report quarterly on progress.
He emphasized the importance of youth inclusion, stating that individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 must be directly involved in implementation, not sidelined.
According to him, the future of agriculture in Oyo State lies in scaling modern technologies that have succeeded in other parts of Africa and beyond. He listed examples such as precision farming and drone deployment, mobile soil-testing and AI advisory platforms, blockchain-enabled traceability, digital marketplaces, solar-powered cold chains and smart irrigation systems.
“These are not dreams, they are working models,” he said, noting that Oyo State possesses the land, manpower and resources to replicate them. What remains, he argued, is the political will to prioritize and deploy them effectively.
Salawu added that the youth of Oyo State are no longer seeking handouts but practical solutions that raise productivity and income. He maintained that the government must deliver on promises made, especially those involving funds and partnerships already secured.
“OYSIAS 2025 must not become another forgotten summit,” he warned. “The youth are watching. The Mekunus are waiting. Deliver, or be held accountable.”
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