The Ogun State Government has secured a $250 million investment for the development of a large-scale dairy farm in Itoro, Yewa South Local Government Area, in a move expected to boost local milk production and create employment opportunities.

The project, to be developed by Pure Dairy Herd, is expected to become Nigeria’s largest dairy farm upon completion, with an initial capacity of about 10,000 dairy cows.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, disclosed this during a community engagement meeting involving the investors and residents of Itoro at the palace of the Onitoro of Itoro, Oba Nathaniel Fasina.

Owotomo said the investment would strengthen Nigeria’s dairy and livestock value chain, stimulate economic activities and reinforce Ogun State’s position as a preferred destination for agricultural investments.

He attributed the investment to the business-friendly policies of the Dapo Abiodun administration, noting that the state has continued to attract major agricultural projects, including the planned revitalisation of the Apoje Plantation in Ijebu-Igbo and other investments in Obafemi Owode, Ikenne and Kajola in Ewekoro Local Government Area.

The commissioner added that the investors had undertaken to carry out palliative repairs on roads leading to the project site to improve access and facilitate the commencement of operations.

Addressing concerns over land acquisition, Owotomo assured affected landowners that compensation would be paid in line with existing laws and government procedures. He explained that compensation would reflect the nature of the affected properties, including undeveloped land and land containing economic trees or other cash crops.

He also said the state government was taking legal steps to resolve pending disputes relating to the land, expressing confidence that the project would deliver lasting socio-economic benefits to the host community through job creation, improved infrastructure and expanded commercial activities.

Speaking at the meeting, the Onitoro of Itoro, Oba Nathaniel Fasina, commended the state government for attracting the investment and urged both the government and the investors to ensure the host community benefits through employment opportunities and community development initiatives.

The traditional ruler pledged the support of the community for the successful execution of the project, expressing optimism that it would improve the welfare of residents and stimulate economic growth.

Also speaking, the Head of Liaison for Pure Dairy Herd, Alhaji Jamiu Adeleke, said the project is designed to transform Itoro into a major dairy production hub and aligns with the Federal Government’s industrialisation agenda aimed at promoting value addition and economic diversification.