The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, inaugurated the Steering Committee of the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investment (FRILIA).
Speaking at the event, held at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the initiative was another bold step by his administration to boost food production, secure livelihoods, and guarantee fair returns for host communities.
“The inauguration of this Committee marks another giant step in our administration’s quest to ensure food security for the good people of Ondo State through sustainable collaboration involving host communities, Local Government Areas and the State Government,” the Governor said.
He stressed that the primary aim of FRILIA is to balance investment opportunities with community rights and benefits.
According to him: “The major objective of this Committee is to ensure we have an enabling environment that guarantees adequate protection for the host communities, ensuring they derive premium returns on their land being used for agricultural purposes in line with national policies on food security goals.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa revealed that the idea was first agreed upon by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the World Bank, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Forum itself.
“This we hope would enable Government to secure adequate agricultural land to ensure food security in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he explained.
He disclosed that the state has already secured 26,000 hectares of land at Ori Ohin in Ose Local Government Area for a pilot scheme.
“The State Government equally conducted a stakeholders’ meeting with the community, the land owners, the tenants and Ose Local Government Council with a view to kick starting this project. Efforts to secure additional land for this project are ongoing,” the Governor said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who will chair the Steering Committee, outlined its terms of reference to include supervision of the FRILIA projects in Ondo State, monitoring of its finances and implementation, as well as post-project evaluation.
“To ensure the seamless and successful implementation of this project, the State Government has earmarked a sum of N7.5 billion for the agricultural sector. It is our hope that this project will ensure the growth and development of the agricultural sector and agricultural value chain in the State.
“I assure you of Government’s commitment to supporting all efforts geared towards creating a prosperous and developed agricultural sector that benefits the generality of the good people of Ondo State,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa charged members of the committee to diligently discharge their responsibilities in line with the committee’s mandate, assuring that under his leadership, FRILIA would serve as a model for inclusive, transparent, and community-driven agricultural investment in Ondo State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, described FRILIA as a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural and land reform agenda. He said the framework was designed to ensure that land-based investments are conducted responsibly, inclusively, and transparently.
According to him: “The project provides a robust framework to ensure that land-based investments are conducted responsibly, inclusively, and transparently, delivering tangible and mutual benefits to both investors and landowners. In so doing, it safeguards community rights, fosters investor confidence, and creates a win-win platform where livelihoods are spread.”
Akinola noted that credible investors had already shown interest, citing the pilot engagement with Fujaik International as an example of how FRILIA principles can create jobs, increase revenue, and protect community rights.
He also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s visionary and decisive leadership, adding that Ondo State is already positioning itself as a national model for responsible land governance and agricultural transformation in Nigeria.
Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the Governor, noting that his leadership has redefined land allocation for agricultural purposes in Ondo State. She said the state is already attracting investors and poised to take the lead nationally.
In attendance were; Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, Members of the State Executive Council, Chairman, Ondo SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, among others.