Leadership That Feeds the People: Oyebanji’s Quiet Revolution in Ekiti’s Food Economy
By Idowu Ephraim Faleye +2348132100608
Food is more than what people eat. In Ekiti, food is dignity, stability, and survival. It shapes how families live, how children grow, and how communities hold together. When food prices rise beyond reach, the damage goes far beyond the market. Homes feel the pressure, tempers rise, health suffers, and trust in leadership weakens. This is why the recent reduction in food prices across Ekiti State is not a minor development. It is a strong statement about governance, policy direction, and leadership that understands the daily struggles of its people.
Across Nigeria, food inflation has weighed heavily on citizens. From garri to rice, yam to beans, feeding a family has become a daily challenge. In many states, people have quietly accepted hunger as the new normal. Yet in Ekiti, a different reality has begun to take shape. Food prices have slowed. Markets are calmer. Availability has improved. Families are no longer gasping daily for survival. This change did not happen by chance. It is the result of deliberate choices, focused policies, and leadership that treats agriculture as a serious economic priority, not a political slogan.
From the start of his administration, Governor Biodun Oyebanji made it clear that food security is not optional. He understands a simple truth: no society can develop on an empty stomach. Rather than loud promises, he chose a practical path. His administration focused on building systems that work on the ground. Agriculture under his leadership has been treated as a business that feeds people, creates jobs, and stabilizes the economy. This mindset is the foundation of the current gains being recorded in Ekiti.
Good policy must touch lives directly. One of the most important decisions taken by the Oyebanji administration was to intervene at the level of production, not just distribution. While many governments focus on market control or price monitoring, Ekiti went back to the basics. The government returned to the land. Over 5,000 hectares were cleared to support local farmers. This action speaks clearly. Food prices will only fall when supply increases. Scarcity cannot be regulated away; it must be confronted with production.
Land clearing is more than physical work. It sends a strong signal to farmers that government support is real. For smallholder farmers struggling with access to land, this intervention removed a major barrier. Entry costs dropped, participation increased, and production capacity expanded. More people farming means more food in the market. As supply grows, prices naturally stabilize. This is basic economics, but it takes political will to apply it consistently. Governor Oyebanji showed that will.
Land alone, however, does not produce food. Execution matters. This is where the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, becomes central to the story. Policies succeed or fail in the hands of those who implement them. In Boluwade, the governor found a capable and committed vessel. He understands agriculture not only as a technical field but as a human system involving farmers, markets, and consumers. He has translated vision into action that farmers feel and citizens experience.
Under his supervision, farmers received more than land. They received support. Subsidies on essential inputs reduced production costs. Seeds, fertilizers, and other materials that often trap farmers in debt became more accessible. This policy choice directly benefits citizens. When farmers spend less to grow food, they do not push high costs onto consumers. The result is visible in markets. Food prices ease, and household pressure reduces.
Another important policy shift has been the move from subsistence farming to an export-driven agricultural model. This is a bold decision, especially when food security is a concern. But Ekiti’s approach is careful and balanced. The goal is not to export hunger but to export surplus. Increased productivity ensures local needs are met first, while farmers gain access to wider markets. This creates wealth at the grassroots and strengthens the state’s economy.
Federal recognition of Ekiti as an agro-processing zone further validates this direction. This is not a ceremonial title. It confirms that the state’s agricultural policies align with national development goals. Agro-processing adds value, reduces post-harvest losses, and creates jobs beyond farming. For citizens, this means employment opportunities, higher incomes, and stronger local industries. It also ensures that food produced in Ekiti can be processed locally, reducing waste and stabilizing supply.
Youth inclusion stands out as one of the strongest elements of Ekiti’s agricultural policy. In a country where young people are often disconnected from farming, Ekiti has chosen a different path. The government is actively encouraging youths to see agriculture as a future, not a burden. By clearing land and creating structured farming opportunities, doors are opening for youth employment. This is not charity. It is strategic thinking.
Youth unemployment fuels crime, frustration, and instability. By positioning agriculture as a job creator, Governor Oyebanji is addressing food security and social stability at the same time. This shows foresight. Agriculture here is not just about crops and livestock; it is about peace, productivity, and purpose for a generation.
Investment in poultry farming is another targeted intervention with quick results. Poultry improves protein availability and generates income faster than many other agricultural ventures. The establishment of nine poultry centers across the state, with plans for expansion, strengthens an entire value chain. Feed suppliers, veterinarians, traders, and consumers all benefit. Citizens gain access to cheaper protein, while young entrepreneurs find new income opportunities.
What strengthens the credibility of these achievements is the reliance on data. According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Ekiti has recorded the slowest increase in food prices over the past three to four months. This is evidence, not rhetoric. At a time when many leaders rely on speeches, Ekiti relies on numbers. Data-driven governance builds trust because citizens can measure results.
Market response confirms the data. Improved supply has stabilized prices. Food items are more available and better secured. This reduces panic buying and speculative pricing. For ordinary people, it means predictability. Families can plan. Traders can operate with confidence. Farmers can sell fairly. This is what effective policy looks like when it works.
Partnerships with higher institutions further strengthen the system. By linking policy with research, Ekiti promotes innovation. Universities contribute improved techniques, better crop varieties, and efficient practices. For citizens, this translates into higher yields, lower costs, and sustainability that protects the environment.
Governor Oyebanji’s leadership stands out for its inclusiveness. He empowers commissioners, listens to experts, and supports collaboration. This is why the Commissioner for Agriculture can speak confidently about progress. He works within a system designed for results, not resistance. The harmony between leadership and execution is reflected in outcomes.
The real test of policy is not in offices but in homes. When a mother spends less at the market, policy is working. When a farmer earns more without raising prices, policy is working. When a young person finds dignity in farming instead of despair, policy is working. These quiet victories define good governance.
Ekiti’s experience challenges the idea that government intervention cannot work. It proves that people-focused, well-executed policies can deliver results even in tough times. Leadership matters. Vision without action fails, and action without vision collapses. Governor Oyebanji has balanced both.
The Commissioner for Agriculture deserves recognition as a committed steward of this vision. His role has been to ensure that policies move from paper to practice. His engagement with farmers, markets, and data has kept the system grounded.
In the end, the reduction in food prices in Ekiti is more than an economic figure. It reflects renewed trust between government and citizens. It shows that leadership can still serve the people. Ekiti’s journey continues, but the direction is clear. Agriculture has become a pillar of development, and through capable hands, that vision is now visible in markets, farms, and homes. For the ordinary citizen, that is what truly matters.
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