Oyo State Unveils Export-Ready Food Products, Inaugurates Cooperative Export Board

In a major step toward enhancing agro-industrialization and boosting regional trade, the Oyo State Government has launched a new range of export-ready, value-added food products including processed yam, cassava, and plantain flour. The products, designed for both local consumption and international markets, were unveiled during a high-profile event held at the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives in Ibadan.

The unveiling, spearheaded by the Agricultural Exporting Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society, is a critical component of the state’s broader economic agenda aimed at leveraging agricultural potential for export-led growth.

In addition to the product launch, the state government also inaugurated a new Board of Directors for the Association of Nigeria Cooperative Exporters (ANCE) Limited. The move is part of ongoing reforms to reposition cooperative structures for increased efficiency and global competitiveness.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi—represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mamud Okesade—announced plans to establish a Directorate of Quality Control. This unit, he explained, will oversee the standardization and regulatory compliance of all export-bound goods from the state.

“The importance of reforming cooperative systems to meet modern-day standards and investor expectations cannot be overstated,” Adebisi said. He urged the newly appointed ANCE board to uphold transparency and unity in order to maximize opportunities in the international export market.

The event drew participation from several federal and state agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), SMEDAN, and the Bank of Agriculture. Representatives of these organizations commended the association’s structural reforms and pledged ongoing support through funding, technical assistance, and trade facilitation programs.

Chief Kola Olomoyoyo, the newly elected ANCE President, vowed to consolidate on the cooperative’s successes, including the stabilization of its cocoa and palm kernel exports and its diversification into livestock feed and bottled water production.

A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of a strategic roadmap aimed at modernizing cooperative operations, expanding agricultural value chains, and attracting both local and foreign investment.

This initiative underscores Oyo State’s growing role as a key player in Nigeria’s agricultural export landscape and aligns with broader efforts to stimulate economic diversification across the country

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