Odedina: My private farming experience fueled success as Ogun Agric Commissioner

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

A former Provost of the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, and ex-Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, Dr. Samson Odedina, has credited his success in public office to his extensive experience in private farming.

Speaking to journalists in Akure, Odedina said he was already a successful farmer before his appointment as Commissioner in Ogun State.

“It was common practice for outgoing Commissioners for Agriculture to take government land, but I neither sought nor accepted any government land, relying instead on land I had purchased for my private agricultural ventures,” he stated.

Odedina, who also served as Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, explained that all lands he currently uses for farming were acquired prior to his public appointments.

He recalled: “In 2007, I worked on several international development projects and received remuneration equivalent to 50 years’ salary at that time. This enabled me to invest in land for farming. I had been farming on workplace or leased lands previously, but I sought land in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to develop a sustainable farm.

“Farms aren’t housing ventures, so I chose interior locations based on soil type, vegetation, and topography. When I approached landowners, they were surprised anyone would prefer their land over plots closer to town. I explained that productivity matters, and we struck a fair deal to become partners in progress.”

He added that by the time he became Rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in 2018 and later Commissioner for Agriculture, he was already an established farmer with thriving crops and livestock, which equipped him to perform effectively in office.

“My prior experience in farming allowed me to focus fully on public service without seeking government land for personal use. To God’s glory, I believe it was the first time a Commissioner for Agriculture neither applied for nor received government land for personal farming,” Odedina said.

Urging Nigerian youths to explore agriculture, he described the sector as a critical pathway to addressing unemployment, food shortages, and foreign exchange challenges in the country.

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