Governor visits SAO Agro, reaffirms dedication to agricultural advancement in Ondo State
SAO Agro, a key investor spearheading the development of the Ondo Special Agro Processing Zone—a project supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Ondo State Government—welcomed His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on March 20, 2025, to its vast commercial oil palm estate in Ore, Ondo State, spanning 10,120 hectares.
The visit underscored the state government’s acknowledgement of SAO Agro’s crucial role in food security, mechanised farming, and sustainable agriculture.
During his tour, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to backing large-scale agribusinesses such as SAO Agro and JB Farms, which are leading massive investments in the state and creating significant employment opportunities. Both companies are among the largest employers of labour after the state government, with SAO Agro and JB Farms providing jobs for approximately 3,000 and 5,000 people, respectively.
At SAO Agro Farms, Governor Aiyedatiwa reassured the management team of the state government’s continued support. As a symbolic gesture of his dedication, the Governor and the Commissioner of Finance each planted a palm tree, reinforcing his administration’s backing of SAO Agro’s commendable oil palm initiative.
He also acknowledged the company’s contributions to infrastructural development, which include the construction of over 375 kilometres of rural roads and more than 16 bridges.
Additionally, he issued a strict directive mandating that illegal farmers occupying SAO Agro’s land vacate the concessioned areas immediately. To support the displaced farmers, the state government will provide alternative farmland, while SAO Agro has pledged to assist them with more than 100,000 hybrid cocoa, oil palm, and plantain seedlings.
Over the past year, SAO Agro has significantly 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, advanced irrigation systems, and sustainable land development practices, which have markedly boosted crop yields and efficiency.
As part of its broader commitment to rural development, SAO Agro has facilitated several community infrastructure projects, including dam repairs, road construction, and the rehabilitation of healthcare centres, while continuously offering scholarships to all youths in the community seeking formal education.
Additionally, the company has solar-powered over 145 health centres, 150 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and 420 households in Ondo State, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives. These efforts align with SAO Agro’s mission to ensure that agricultural progress directly benefits local communities.
Reflecting on the Governor’s visit, SAO Agro’s CEO, Ayo Sotinrin, expressed gratitude for the government’s support and underlined the company’s long-term vision: “At SAO Agro, we believe that agriculture is not just about food production—it is about nation-building.
“We remain committed to cultivating an agricultural ecosystem that promotes prosperity for farmers, communities, and the nation as a whole. We appreciate Governor Aiyedatiwa’s encouragement and look forward to continued collaboration to drive agricultural transformation.”
As SAO Agro continues its growth trajectory, the company is preparing for major milestones in 2025, including expanding land-clearing operations to cultivate an additional 10,000 hectares for oil palm and cocoa production. Furthermore, it plans to rehabilitate a 30,000-metric-ton-capacity cocoa processing factory, strengthening Nigeria’s agro-processing sector and advancing the country’s agricultural value chain.
