Olubadan Calls on Belgian Government to Invest in Ibadans Agricultural Potential

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, has extended an invitation to the Belgian government to invest in the vast arable land of Ibadan, urging international collaboration to boost agricultural production in the region. During a meeting with the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, at the new ultramodern Olubadan Palace in Oke Aremo, Ibadan, on Monday, the Olubadan emphasized the city's agricultural potential. Speaking through the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland, Tajudeen Ajibola, Oba Olakulehin highlighted the availability of extensive fertile land in areas such as Egbeda, Ona Ara, Oluyole, Ido, Lagelu, and Akinyele Local Government Areas, all of which are prime locations for large-scale agricultural production. The Olubadan expressed his enthusiasm for the potential partnership, stating, "Ibadan is one of the largest cities in Africa, with major resources and vast arable land suitable for agricultural production on a large scale. We invite you to take advantage of these opportunities to boost food production, especially at this crucial time for our nation."

The Belgian Ambassador, who was accompanied by Genco Sanli, Advisor in Economic Diplomacy for Nigeria, Kingdom of Belgium, and Florence Oke, Manager of Resource Mobilisation, Protocol and External Liaison at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), shared insights into Belgium's ongoing involvement in Nigeria's agricultural sector. He acknowledged the strategic importance of agriculture in Nigeria, particularly in cocoa production, and expressed his eagerness to learn from the Olubadan and his council. Leenknegt stated, "Agriculture is one of the areas we are focusing on, in line with the agenda of the current administration in Nigeria. Oyo State has been a major producer of cocoa, and we want to explore ways to enhance cocoa production in Nigeria. Through this, we aim to boost trade and finance."

The Ambassador's visit to Ibadan marks a significant step towards fostering closer ties between Belgium and Nigeria, particularly in the agricultural sector. With Ibadan's rich agricultural resources and the Belgian government's interest in supporting and expanding this sector, the potential for a fruitful partnership is immense. As Ibadan continues to develop and capitalize on its natural resources, international collaborations like this could play a vital role in driving economic growth and ensuring food security for the region and beyond.