SAO Agro, a lead investor developing the Ondo Special Agro Processing Zone supported by AfDB and the Ondo State Government, recently played host to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at its expansive commercial oil palm estate spanning 10,120 hectares in Ore, Ondo State.
The visit underscored the state government’s recognition of SAO Agro’s significant contributions to food security, mechanised farming, and sustainable agriculture.
During his visit, the Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting large-scale agribusinesses such as SAO Agro and JB Farms that are driving large-scale investments, and creating employment opportunities. Both companies are arguably the largest employers of labour after the State Government, employing about 3,000 and 5,000 people respectively.
At SAO Agro Farms, governor Aiyedatiwa reassured the team of the state government’s support.
As a symbolic gesture of his commitment, the Governor and the Commissioner of Finance planted a palm tree each, reinforcing his administration’s dedication to SAO Agro’s laudable Oil palm programme. He also acknowledged the company’s efforts in infrastructural development, with over 375kms of rural road network and over 16 bridges constructed so far.
He further made a strict directive that illegal farmers on SAO Agro’s land should leave the concessioned areas immediately. The state government will provide farmland to the displaced illegal farmers, while SAO Agro has pledged to support them with over 100,000 hybrid cocoa, oil palm and plantain suckers.
Over the past year, SAO Agro has expanded its oil palm operations, transplanting over 650,000 seedlings and nurturing an additional 520,000 in its nurseries. The company has also invested in large-scale drone technology, hi-tech irrigation and sustainable land development practices that have significantly improved crop yields and efficiency.
As part of its broader commitment to rural development, SAO Agro has facilitated other community infrastructure projects, including dam repairs, roads, health centre rehabilitation and continuously providing scholarships for all youths in the community who want formal education.
They have solar-powered over 145 health centres, 150 SMEs, and 420 Households in Ondo State as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility. These initiatives align with the company’s mission to ensure that agricultural progress translates into tangible benefits for local communities.
Speaking during the governor’s visit, Chief Executive Officer, SAO Agro, Ayo Sotinrin, expressed appreciation for the government’s support and emphasised the company’s long-term vision, stating: “At SAO Agro, we believe that agriculture is not just about food production—it’s about nation-building. We remain committed to developing an agricultural ecosystem that fosters prosperity for farmers, communities, and the entire nation. We appreciate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s encouragement and look forward to collaborating further to drive agricultural transformation.”
As SAO Agro continues its trajectory of growth, the company is gearing up for new milestones in 2025, including expanding land-clearing operations to cultivate an additional 10,000 hectares for oil palm and cocoa production and advancing plans to rehabilitate a 30,000-metric-ton-capacity cocoa processing factory to enhance Nigeria’s agro-processing capabilities.
READ ALSO: I’m in a hurry to deliver — Aiyedatiwa
and then