The Ogun State governorship candidate of Action Alliance, Dr. Samuel Adeyemi, argues that cocoa production can significantly boost the state’s revenue. A chartered accountant, Adeyemi said his research showed that the N475 billion budget presented by Governor Dapo Abiodun could be financed with 223,000 tons of cocoa. Abiodun signed the N475 billion budget for the 2023 fiscal year into law after it passed the state House of Assembly.
Speaking at the party’s campaign inauguration in Abeokuta, the state capital, Adeyemi outlined his agricultural plans, which he believes are lucrative enough to attract youths back to farming. He, who is also a lawyer and pharmacist, explained: “We looked at the state’s budget for this year, it was N475 billion, and when we calculated, we realized that 223,000 tons of cocoa would have financed the budget. I have decided to use cocoa as one of the revenue‑generation initiatives in Ogun State.”
Adeyemi proposed that each youth be allocated five hectares of land for farming, with all operations managed digitally. “They will not need to use cutlasses and hoes at all. They will do everything on their phones,” he said. “All we will ask them to do is take care of the five hectares we give them. Using their phones, they will contact the African Impulse Service Unit (AISU), which will provide farm implements, clear the land, and plant the cocoa. After 18 months, the cocoa will be ready.” He added that the agricultural programme, supported by the farm settlement, will be digitally enabled to complement other developmental plans.
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