Food Security: FG, Ogun, Unveil $12m Springfield Agrochemical Plant in Sagamu

*Ogun highlights importance of vocational education

Sunday Ehigiator and James Sowole in Abeokuta

In an effort to boost food security and promote local manufacturing in the country, the federal government and Ogun State Government unveiled a $12 million agrochemical plant by Springfield Agro Crop Protection Chemical Plant in Sagamu over the weekend.  

The agro chemical plant, owned by Kewalram Chanrai Group, is expected to drive agricultural productivity and economic growth while reducing dependence on imported agrochemicals by farmers.
In another development, the state government expressed concern over the long neglect of its eight technical colleges by previous administrations, despite the importance of vocational education to skills development.
The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mr. Tunji Odunlami, expressed the position during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of Government Science and Technical College, Ilara-Remo, Ogun East Senatorial District.

Speaking at the commissioning of the agro chemical plant, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, emphasised the plant’s role in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
According to him, food security can only be achieved by expanding industrial capacity across the value chain, and the new facility aligns with the government’s agenda to combat hunger and ensure sustainable food production.

Shettima stated, “This project is a demonstration of what can be achieved when the private and public sectors collaborate for growth. We cannot achieve peace unless the robust committees we roll out as a government are complemented by the ambition and commitment of the private sector.”
He lamented that despite being a continent blessed with vast arable land and the potential to be the food basket of the world, Africa’s share of global manufacturing was less than two per cent.

He said, “Our duty as a government is to remove barriers and provide the necessary support for businesses.
“Agriculture remains a cardinal priority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this resolve has inspired the quality and scale of programmes designed to support farmers in increasing their productivity and yield, through research institutes, mechanisation schemes and cutting-edge technology. Our focus on food security is driven by the unshakeable belief that Nigerians have no reason to grow hungry.”

Shettima lauded the company for investing heavily in Nigeria since its inception in 2004, saying the action strongly demonstrates resilience, foresight and commitment to the growth of the agriculture sector.

Equally speaking, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that Kewalram Chanrai Group had made tremendous strides in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, providing total farm solutions, from seeds and fertilisers to tractors and post-harvest processing.

He said his government was committed to creating a conducive environment for industries to flourish within the state.

According to him, “This event affirms Ogun’s progress in creating a conducive environment for industries to flourish. By improving inputs, mechanisation, and extension services, our government has positioned Ogun State to drive higher agricultural productivity, reduce the cost of staple foods, and achieve food security.”

Earlier in his address, Chairman of Kewalram Chanrai Group, Narain Chanrai, highlighted the company’s commitment to Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

According to him, as part of its corporate social responsibility, the project also includes a hospital to provide quality healthcare services to the local community and enhance the well-being of residents.

Chanrai stated, “The success of Springfield in Nigeria has given us the impetus to expand to other African countries. This plant will drastically reduce the importation of agrochemicals, conserve foreign exchange, and contribute to the backward integration programmes of both the federal and state governments.

“The agrochemical plant will produce herbicides and insecticides with an integrated bottle manufacturing unit. The factory is expected to generate between 300 and 500 direct and indirect jobs, with a significant portion of employment opportunities allocated to Ogun State indigenes.”

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning described vocational education as a critical bridge between secondary and tertiary institutions, which provided the foundational skills necessary for industrialisation and economic growth.

He described the importance of vocational education in addressing skill gaps and ensuring a workforce capable of supporting industry development.

Odunlami lamented the neglect of the state’s eight technical colleges, and questioned why such vital institutions had not received adequate attention despite their critical role in the education system.

Odunlami said, “Vocational education is extremely important. These technical colleges were built many years ago, yet they have suffered neglect. I find it surprising, considering how essential vocational training is to our education system.

“Learning in a dilapidated environment does not inspire or motivate students. That is why the government is taking this bold step to upgrade these facilities and encourage more young people to acquire practical skills.”

Director-General for Lands and Survey in the state, Mr. Segun Fowora, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the rehabilitation work, stating that similar upgrades are ongoing across other senatorial districts.

Fowora assured that modern teaching equipment would be installed upon completion of rehabilitation of the colleges.

Project Manager for the Skills Development Sector, Mr. Fatai Osunsanya, expressed optimism that the project would be completed on schedule. Osunsanya said the project would ensure that students and teachers benefitted from the improved infrastructure without delay.

Vice Principal (Administration), Government Science and Technical College, Ilara-Remo, Miss Abidemi Aderemi, lauded the state government’s efforts to revamp technical education, describing the intervention as a significant boost to teaching and learning in the state’s vocational institutions.