Fruit Processing Plants: Short Term If Linked With Existing Processors But Medium To Long Term If New Off-takers Will Be Brought In

Governor Seyi Makinde's campaign pledge to establish fruit processing plants was qualified by timeline conditions: short-term completion if linked with existing processors (one year), but medium to long-term if new off-takers were to be brought in. 

During his first term (2019-2023), the promise remained largely unfulfilled on its stated terms. By the two-year mark of his administration, Simply Green Farm, a private fruit processing company, had established its business in Oyo State, marking the only documented fruit processing facility to commence operations under the stated promise. However, this appears to have been a private sector initiative rather than a government-led project.

By the third year in office (2022-2023), government documentation indicated that fruit processing plants had "not yet commenced" as a deliberate state initiative, meaning no new government-supported or state-coordinated facility had been launched. 

The promise was eventually superseded by the broader agribusiness strategy, which pivoted toward establishing the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub and planning subsequent hubs at Eruwa and Ijaiye, where fruit processing would theoretically be integrated into larger processing complexes. 

During his second term campaign in January 2023, Governor Makinde revived the fruit processing commitment, specifically mentioning plans to reactivate the Oko Fruit Processing Factory (previously Pacesetter Fruit Processing Company) in Surulere Local Government Area, signaling renewed attention to the sector beyond the first term's limited progress.