Oyebanji, Ojuolape to Improve Food Security with Launch of TAO Agricultural Devt Cluster

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Dr. Niyi Ojuolape, were the hosts at the groundbreaking ceremony of The Agricultural Option (TAO) Agricultural Development Cluster held recently. The innovative project is designed to promote foundational agricultural development with young people, improve food security, and enhance economic prosperity in Ekiti and Nigeria.

A progressive three-year program premised at EKSU, TAO Agricultural Development Cluster will engage agricultural students of good academic standing in productive agriculture, where they will be exposed to the practice of farming, processing and agribusiness, providing them with hands-on training and experience in productive and commercial agriculture.

Beyond skills development, the program will offer financial benefits of up to N2 million per annum that can go into tuition or other needs, empowering them to become successful agricultural entrepreneurs and improving young people’s interest in agriculture.

“TAO is excited to partner with EKSU and the Ekiti State Government on this innovative project,” said Ojuolape, who is also the Chairman of AgroMall, the principal promoter of TAO. “We believe that this project will have a transformative impact on our students, our university, and our state.”

The benefits of this project extend beyond the students. EKSU will also benefit from the research and development aspects of the program, which will inform curriculum improvement and enhance the university’s reputation as a centre of excellence in agricultural education and national economic development.

Furthermore, the TAO Agricultural Development Cluster will contribute significantly to Ekiti State’s food security and economic prosperity, with an annual economic activity level of about 40 billion Naira. By promoting agricultural development, the project will increase food production, reduce poverty, and create employment opportunities for the youth.

In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji said the groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of a new era in agricultural development in Ekiti and, “We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of this project on our community.”

The Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Professor Joseph Ayodele, also reiterated the positive and transformative impact of the TAO Agricultural Development Cluster at EKSU and its potential for national agricultural and economic development. “This is a further testament to our focus on delivering EKSU’s vision of producing graduates that are adequately equipped to handle contemporary socioeconomic and environmental challenges, as the TAO Agricultural Cluster Development Programme will be an additional effort towards solving some of Nigeria’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges of youth unemployment, low economic growth and food security.”