U.S. Firm to Build Cassava Hub in Ogun
A United States-based agribusiness company has concluded plans to establish a state-of-the-art cassava processing hub in the Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) located in Ogun State.
The development, announced by state officials on Monday, is expected to significantly strengthen the cassava value chain, boost food security, and attract more international investment into Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
According to the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, the project will focus on large-scale processing of cassava into starch, flour, ethanol, and other derivatives.
These products will serve both local industries and export markets, further positioning Ogun as a key player in agro-industrial development.
Officials disclosed that the processing hub would also generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs for residents, particularly farmers and youths, while encouraging smallholder farmers to increase cassava production.
Nigeria remains the world’s largest producer of cassava, accounting for about 20 percent of global output, yet much of it is consumed locally with limited industrial processing.
Analysts believe the new investment could help bridge this gap by unlocking the economic potential of cassava beyond subsistence use.
The Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other partners, was designed to transform Nigeria’s agriculture by clustering production, processing, and distribution within designated zones to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance value addition.
Welcoming the investment, Governor Dapo Abiodun reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Ogun a preferred destination for agribusiness investors.
He noted that the partnership aligns with the state’s vision of harnessing agriculture for economic diversification and industrial growth.
Dr. Adebayo Akinyemi, an agricultural economist at the University of Ibadan, hailed the project as a breakthrough for Nigeria’s cassava industry.
“For decades, Nigeria has led the world in cassava production but has failed to maximize its full value. With this kind of investment, we can finally move from being a producer nation to a processor nation, creating wealth, jobs, and export opportunities,” he said.
For local farmers, the project is already raising hopes. Mrs. Funke Oladipo, a cassava farmer in Obafemi Owode area of Ogun State, described it as a long-awaited lifeline.
“Most times we struggle to sell our harvest at good prices because there are no big processors to buy in bulk. If this hub comes to reality, it means more income for us farmers and less waste of our crops,” she explained.
Stakeholders in the sector have lauded the move, describing it as a “timely intervention” that will not only expand Nigeria’s cassava industry but also improve farmers’ incomes and contribute to the nation’s food sufficiency drive.
The project is expected to commence in phases, with construction of the hub slated to begin later this year.
