Oyo Partners EU on Agric, Education, Gender-Based Violence

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, hosted a European Union (EU) delegation on Tuesday to discuss strategic collaborations aimed at boosting agricultural development, improving education, and combating gender-based violence in the state.

The delegation, led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, met with Governor Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan. The high-level meeting was also attended by the EU Head of Section for Human Development in Nigeria, Prof. Leila Mathieu, alongside state officials including the Governor’s Adviser on Agribusiness and International Cooperation, Debo Akande, and Executive Assistant on Administration, Revd Idowu Ogedengbe.

Speaking to journalists following the talks and a subsequent private session with the governor, Ambassador Mignot highlighted that the discussions focused heavily on agriculture and climate change. The objective is to further strengthen Oyo State’s position as a major food production hub in Nigeria.

Ambassador Mignot emphasized that youth and women remain the primary target groups for these joint initiatives, particularly through key agricultural value chains. He noted specific interests in developing the state’s dairy sector and tapping into the significant potential of the cocoa sector.

In addition to agricultural interventions, the partnership will reinforce existing educational programs and expand resources dedicated to the fight against gender-based violence across the state.