By Fatima Muraina
The Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural transformation and sustainable development as it participated in the Niger Delta Agricultural Summit 2026, held in Abuja.
Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, was represented at the summit by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, who was accompanied by his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, and her counterpart at the, Forestry and Produce section of the ministry, Mr. Bosun Ogundipe.
This was contained in a press release issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the ministry, Mr. Sola Ogunmoyewa, who stated that the summit brought together government officials, farmers, agribusiness investors, development partners, financial institutions, researchers, youth groups and other stakeholders to chart a path for transforming agriculture across the Niger Delta region.
Participants aligned with the summit’s theme, ‘Transforming the Niger Delta Through Sustainable Agriculture, Innovation and Agribusiness Investment,’ emphasising the need for stronger collaboration to unlock the region’s agricultural potential.
The summit focused on promoting sustainable agricultural development, attracting local and foreign investments into agriculture and agro-processing, advancing climate-smart farming practices and modern technologies, enhancing food security, creating jobs, strengthening cross-sector partnerships and developing actionable policy recommendations to drive agricultural growth.
Deliberations also covered critical issues shaping the future of agriculture in the region, including food security, climate resilience, mechanisation and precision agriculture, access to finance and agricultural insurance, youth and women participation in agribusiness, agricultural value chain development, agro-processing and export opportunities, digital agriculture and artificial intelligence, fisheries, aquaculture, livestock, forestry and public-private partnerships.
The event attracted participants from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Niger Delta Development Commission and Ministries of Agriculture from the Niger Delta states.
Also in attendance were international development partners, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD; the World Bank, the African Development Bank, AfDB; the Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO and the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, alongside commercial and development banks, agribusiness firms, farmer associations, universities, research institutions women and youth entrepreneurs.
Organisers said the summit is expected to produce a communiqué outlining regional agricultural priorities, facilitate investment commitments and partnership agreements, and generate policy recommendations to accelerate agricultural development across the Niger Delta.
Other expected outcomes include expanded networking opportunities for agribusinesses and investors, greater awareness of agricultural innovation and best practices and the development of a roadmap for sustainable agricultural growth in the region.
Ondo State’s participation at the summit underscores the Aiyedatiwa-led administration’s resolve to leverage partnerships, innovation and investment to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security and drive economic diversification.