Gov Makinde unveils new trademark for Oyo

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has officially unveiled a new agricultural trademark for the state, a strategic initiative designed to project Oyo’s unique agribusiness identity, strengthen the value of its farm produce, and position the state more competitively in both local and international markets.

The launch of the trademark was one of the major highlights of the Oyo State International Agribusiness Summit 2025, held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan. The summit, themed “Expanding Oyo State’s Economy Through Agricultural Industrialization,” drew participants from around the world, including industry experts, investors, policymakers, and development partners.

Speaking during the unveiling, Governor Makinde explained that introducing the trademark is part of his administration’s broader effort to modernise the agricultural sector and create a more structured ecosystem that benefits farmers, processors, and exporters. According to him, the trademark will not only enhance the visibility and credibility of Oyo State produce but also stimulate employment, attract new investments, support rural agribusinesses, and ultimately improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Governor Makinde emphasised that industrialisation, particularly value-added processing is central to the state’s long-term development agenda. He noted that the global economy now rewards countries and regions that move beyond primary production and stressed the importance of aligning Oyo State’s economic strategies with emerging opportunities in export markets.

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“We must recalibrate our approach to economic development by placing equal emphasis on export competitiveness as we do on import substitution,” the governor said, urging stakeholders to take advantage of the new trademark to drive quality assurance and market expansion.

The event also featured goodwill messages from foreign dignitaries, including the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria and the Consul General of Denmark. Both envoys commended Governor Makinde for his innovative policies in the agribusiness sector and pledged their countries’ commitment to deepening partnerships with Oyo State, especially in areas of technology transfer, capacity building, and value-chain development.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Debo Akande, described the unveiling of the trademark as a major milestone in the state’s journey toward achieving food security, economic expansion, and sustainable agricultural transformation. He noted that Oyo State is steadily positioning itself as a leading hub for industrial agriculture in West Africa.

The summit also featured an extensive tour of exhibition stands, where Governor Makinde and other dignitaries interacted with innovators, agritech companies, commodity associations, youth agripreneurs, and global development partners. The exhibitions showcased a wide range of technologies, products, and solutions aimed at shaping the future of agricultural industrialisation in the sub-region.

The 2025 International Agribusiness Summit reaffirmed Oyo State’s commitment to building a modern, competitive, and inclusive agribusiness sector capable of driving long-term socio-economic prosperity.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE