Oyo State has taken a significant step toward agro-industrial transformation with the launch of export-ready, value-added agricultural products aimed at strengthening its role in regional and continental trade.
The unveiling took place at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives in Ibadan and was led by the Agricultural Exporting Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society. The event drew stakeholders from the agricultural, export, and cooperative sectors.
The state government also announced the creation of a Directorate of Quality Control to ensure all export products meet global standards. Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives stressed the need for structural reforms in cooperatives to align them with modern business expectations and enhance investor appeal.
In a further move to support the export push, the government inaugurated a new Board of Directors for the Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters Limited (ANCE). The new board was tasked with promoting unity and transparency to unlock greater export potential for the state.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, SMEDAN, and the Bank of Agriculture endorsed the initiative, commending the cooperative’s structure and compliance. They pledged support through funding, technical expertise, and trade facilitation.
The new ANCE president pledged to deepen export activities, particularly in cocoa and palm kernel, while expanding into new areas such as livestock feed and bottled water.
This initiative reflects Oyo State’s broader strategy to position itself as a leading hub for agro-industrialization and export-driven economic growth.
