Ogun plans land management agency to boost food production 

The Ogun State Government has proposed the establishment of a Land Management Agency to evolve from the existing Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments under the World Bank-supported Ogun State Economic Transformation Project.

This proposal, according to a statement released on Friday by the OGSTEP Communication Manager, Mrs Olasunmbo Olayinka, was unveiled during a stakeholders’ review workshop on technical implementation of FRILIA in Ogun State, held at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, described the proposed agency as a landmark initiative that will provide a legal framework for inclusive and sustainable land governance in the state.

He noted that “The enactment of the bill to establish the agency will solidify Ogun State’s leadership in land management and serve as a model for other regions in Nigeria.

“The institutionalisation of FRILIA into a land management agency will ensure better coordination of land-use policies and promote responsible agricultural development.

“It will help FRILIA’s principles across sectors, aligning inter-agency efforts for greater impact”.

He emphasised that FRILIA, a flagship initiative under OGSTEP, has been instrumental in addressing challenges related to land acquisition, utilisation, and investment transparency.

Owotomo added that through a comprehensive audit of over 62,000 hectares of government-acquired agricultural land, the initiative established a solid baseline for strategic land-use planning.

“More than 4,000 hectares have already been allocated transparently to agri-food investors using structured evaluation frameworks.

“FRILIA also developed essential toolkits, including Environmental and Social Risk Management, a Grievance Redress Mechanism, and frameworks for Resettlement, Valuation, and Compensation,” he added.

The State Solicitor-General, Mr. Segun Olaotan, represented by Mr. Bankole Mafe, shed more light on the operational structure of the proposed agency.

He explained that the agency will be led by a Director-General appointed by the Governor, under a board chaired by the Commissioner for Agriculture.

The board will include representatives from key sectors, alongside a legal adviser, to ensure regulatory compliance and policy formulation.

OGSTEP FRILIA Specialist, Mr. Oladipupo Sofowora, highlighted the initiative’s contribution to building investor trust and fostering mutually beneficial relationships between the government, investors, and host communities.

He noted that many host communities have already begun to benefit from social amenities provided by agricultural investors.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the OGSTEP Project Technical Committee and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, lauded the initiative’s role in minimising land allocation challenges and fostering investor confidence.

“The transparency introduced by FRILIA has created a more conducive environment for agricultural investments, benefiting both investors and host communities,” he said.

Delivering a global perspective on the initiative, World Bank FRILIA Expert, Mr. Darryl Vhugen, praised the state for its exemplary implementation of the FRILIA framework, describing it as a trailblazer in Nigeria.

He stressed the importance of sustaining transparency and stakeholder collaboration to attract further investment and generate job opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Ifedolapo Owode, assured stakeholders of the legislature’s commitment to giving the proposed bill prompt attention and passage.

OGSTEP Project Coordinator, Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odusi, represented by Agric Project Manager, Mrs. Oluseyi Olugbire, further hinted that the week-long technical mission started with visits to key government stakeholders and will feature training of prospective Land Management Authority (LMA) staff as well as a field visit to FRILIA Pilot Project Site.

Source: Punch