The Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution for the immediate revitalization of Apoje Farms in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state following a motion moved by a member of the House of Assembly representing Ijebu North 1 State Constituency, Hon. Rasheed Kashamu.
The Daily Crucible reports that Apoje Farms which occupies about 8000 hectares of land formed part of the traditional basis of the state economy and had the best potential during the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo for providing mass, profitable and beneficial jobs for the citizens and residents up to the late 80s and early 90s until its fortune nose – dived with steady grave neglect by successive administrations.
The Farms reached its nadir around 2010 when the state government gave it away for thirty years on a controversial concession term but that arrangement was later reversed but the reversal did not help it as the neglect persists.
However, the resolution to revive it followed a debate on a motion moved by the sponsor, Hon. Kashamu, entitled: “Need for the Revamp of Apoje Farms and Comprehensive Review of Farm Settlements Management in Ogun State.”
The motion was seconded by the member representing Ikenne State Constituency, Hon. Olakunle Sobukanla, and supported by the whole House through a voice vote.
Opening debate on the motion leading to the passage of the resolution, Hon. Kashamu highlighted the historic significance and economic potentials of Apoje Farms, describing it as “a once-thriving hub for oil palm, citrus, and other agricultural produce”.
He noted that the rehabilitation of the farm would support the State agricultural development strategies, enhance food production and boost internally generated revenue; urging the Assembly to call on relevant authorities to prioritize infrastructure upgrades, modern farming systems, and strategic partnerships needed to restore full commercial operations at the farm settlement.
The nation’s youngest lawmaker also proposed integrating Apoje Farms into the State’s Agricultural Master Plan, expanding its scope to include livestock production, aquaculture, processing hubs, and agro-tourism, with a sustainable management framework to ensure accountability and increased productivity.
Supporting the motion, other lawmakers, including the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo; Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, as well as Honourables Oluseun Adesanya, Babatunde Tella, Haruna Egungbohun, Damilare Bello and Adegoke Adeyanju, stressed the need to revive the Farm settlement and other agricultural settlements across the State; noting that agriculture had been a major revenue source before the oil boom.
The lawmakers noted that the revitalizing of the farm settlements was critical to addressing food scarcity and stabilizing the economy; requesting a thorough review and overhaul of all government-owned agricultural estates and facilities to ensure transparency and efficiency.
They called for measures to halt increased encroachment by real estate developers that were converting government-acquired farm lands into residential estates.
The motion for the adoption of the resolution was later moved by Hon. Kashamu and seconded by Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju; while the Majority Leader Yusuf Sherrif moved the motion converting the debate into a House resolution, seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Adeleye and supported by the entire House.
The Assembly directed the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Bolu Owootomo and his Forestry counterpart, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun alongside the General Manager of the Agricultural Development Corporation to appear before it on Tuesday, 25th November, 2025.
