Oyo Speaker urges lawmakers to prioritise food security, calls for immediate passage of state police bill
pannigeriannews
4 min read
By Isaiah Adewole
The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, has strongly advocated for robust legislation to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future, while simultaneously pushing for the immediate creation of State Police to tackle rural insecurity.
The lecture, titled “Building a Hunger-Free Future Through Effective Agricultural Legislation,” was delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abiodun Mohammed Fadeyi, at the maiden edition of the Professor Anthony Dele Afolabi Annual Lecture Series held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
The lecture series was convened in honour of Professor Anthony Dele Afolabi, a distinguished scholar whose contributions to African historiography, economic, and social history have been praised for strengthening institutions and mentoring a generation of leaders, including over 60 former students who have become professors.
Addressing the audience, which included the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rom Kalilu, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Professor T. Ebijuwa, the Deputy Speaker stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of the nation’s economy, yet is hampered by instability and insecurity.
“Without a stable legal and institutional framework, even the best interventions can crumble when governments change or priorities shift. Legislation gives permanence. It protects reforms from being treated as mere political projects,” Hon. Fadeyi stated.
Highlighting the key elements of effective agricultural legislation, the Deputy Speaker called on lawmakers across the country to focus on laws that guarantee predictable funding, promote land-use stability, encourage innovation, and establish strong institutions.
Showcasing the achievements of the Oyo State House of Assembly under Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s leadership, the Deputy Speaker noted several laws aimed at driving agribusiness, some of which are: The Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) Law, The Oyo State Agricultural Credit Corporation Law, The Land Use and Allocation Reform Bills, among others.
Furthermore, he confirmed that the Assembly has conducted post-legislative scrutiny on the open-rearing grazing law and has supported the state government’s initiative to open the first Agro-Processing Zone in Ijaiye.
In a powerful call to action, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin identified rural insecurity—driven by bandits, kidnappers, and herdsmen—as the critical factor hindering agricultural growth. He made a strong case for State Police, noting that local forces are better positioned to understand community dynamics and respond quickly to threats.
The Speaker assured his colleagues that once the proposed bill for the creation of State Police is presented to State Legislatures, he will use his office as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers to ensure its expeditious consideration and passage, confident that the initiative will receive the necessary two-thirds majority support.
The lecture concluded with the University community presenting a meritorious award to Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin. to le Bill
The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, has strongly advocated for robust legislation to secure Nigeria’s agricultural future, while simultaneously pushing for the immediate creation of State Police to tackle rural insecurity.
The lecture, titled “Building a Hunger-Free Future Through Effective Agricultural Legislation,” was delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Abiodun Mohammed Fadeyi, at the maiden edition of the Professor Anthony Dele Afolabi Annual Lecture Series held at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
The lecture series was convened in honour of Professor Anthony Dele Afolabi, a distinguished scholar whose contributions to African historiography, economic, and social history have been praised for strengthening institutions and mentoring a generation of leaders, including over 60 former students who have become professors.
Addressing the audience, which included the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rom Kalilu, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Professor T. Ebijuwa, the Deputy Speaker stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of the nation’s economy, yet is hampered by instability and insecurity.
“Without a stable legal and institutional framework, even the best interventions can crumble when governments change or priorities shift. Legislation gives permanence. It protects reforms from being treated as mere political projects,” Hon. Fadeyi stated.
Highlighting the key elements of effective agricultural legislation, the Deputy Speaker called on lawmakers across the country to focus on laws that guarantee predictable funding, promote land-use stability, encourage innovation, and establish strong institutions.
Showcasing the achievements of the Oyo State House of Assembly under Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s leadership, the Deputy Speaker noted several laws aimed at driving agribusiness, some of which are: The Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) Law, The Oyo State Agricultural Credit Corporation Law, The Land Use and Allocation Reform Bills, among others.
Furthermore, he confirmed that the Assembly has conducted post-legislative scrutiny on the open-rearing grazing law and has supported the state government’s initiative to open the first Agro-Processing Zone in Ijaiye.
In a powerful call to action, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin identified rural insecurity—driven by bandits, kidnappers, and herdsmen—as the critical factor hindering agricultural growth. He made a strong case for State Police, noting that local forces are better positioned to understand community dynamics and respond quickly to threats.
The Speaker assured his colleagues that once the proposed bill for the creation of State Police is presented to State Legislatures, he will use his office as the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers to ensure its expeditious consideration and passage, confident that the initiative will receive the necessary two-thirds majority of support.
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