Gov Aiyedatiwa inaugurates FRILIA Steering Committee, earmarks N7.5bn for Agriculture

By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday, 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, Alagbaka, Akure, the State capital, the Governor described the event as a bold step towards ensuring food security, land equity and sustainable agricultural growth in the state.

Aiyedatiwa said the initiative would create an enabling environment that protects host communities while guaranteeing premium returns on land used for agricultural purposes. He emphasized that the framework was designed to strike a balance between large-scale agricultural investments and the rights of local communities, ensuring transparency, fairness and accountability.

The Governor recalled that FRILIA was first conceived at a meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the World Bank and the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security. He disclosed that Ondo State had already secured 26,000 hectares of land at Ori Ohin in Ose Local Government Area as a pilot scheme, after extensive consultations with landowners, tenants, and community leaders.

“The Steering Committee we are inaugurating today will be under my chairmanship, with key commissioners and officials drawn from relevant ministries and agencies,” Aiyedatiwa announced, adding that their mandate includes supervising, monitoring, and evaluating the FRILIA project in the state.

He further revealed that the state government had earmarked N7.5 billion to drive agricultural development and strengthen the value chain. “This project will not only expand access to land for farming but also boost food production, create jobs, and improve livelihoods across the state”.

Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a prosperous agricultural sector that benefits all stakeholders, stressing that efforts were ongoing to secure more land for expansion of the project.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Olaleye Akinola noted that the project represents a cornerstone in the ongoing agricultural and land administration reform of Ondo state, as It 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.

He stressed that this will safeguard community rights, foster investor confidence, and create a win-win platform where livelihoods are spread.

Akinola commended the Governor’s visionary and decisive leadership. He said “today’s inauguration of this steering Committee, you have consistently shown unwavering commitment to ensuring that its objectives are achieved. Your foresight has made a strong foundation for the success of this project and has positioned Ondo State as a traitor in responsible land governance and agricultural transformation.

“Ondo State is taking the lead also in EUDR compliance because of your objective leadership and quick response to our individuals after the inauguration and they are waiting for us to achieve this compliance so that they can use Ondo State as a pilot to other states to save their people in Ondo State.

“As we formally inaugurate this steering Committee, we are confident that under your guidance and with the committee’s diligent oversight, the FRILLA project will deliver on its promise of inclusive growth, community empowerment and sustainable agricultural development”.

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, Members of Ondo State House of Assembly, Chairman, Ondo SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, among others.