Written By Idowu Ephraim Faleye – 08132100608
Some days ago, I wrote an article titled “Why Ekiti Needs More Than Higher Institutions”, stressing the urgent need for our leaders to shift focus from merely facilitating more schools to facilitating industries that can absorb our graduates and unemployed youth. No society thrives by producing educated minds with nowhere to channel their talents. The solution lies beneath our feet — in the soil. Ekiti is an agrarian society. Our people are farmers, and our land can feed the nation. We lack the industrial infrastructure to add value to our growth. We need industries that process farm produce into finished goods, create jobs, reduce waste, and generate wealth. This is the blueprint for economic rebirth in Ekiti State.
Shortly after that article, a friend challenged me. He said someone in Ekiti was already taking practical steps—someone not waiting for the government but taking the bull by the horns. I was skeptical. I live in Ado-Ekiti, and if such a project existed, I thought I’d know. He insisted and offered to take me there. Out of curiosity, I agreed. What I saw at the Old Oodua Textile Mill stunned me—and gave me a new vision for Ekiti’s growth and development.
A massive agro-industrial facility stood at the site — clean, organized, and busy. My first thought was: Is this a government project? Funded by a bank? Backed by a politician? I was wrong on all fronts. It is the vision of an Ekiti son — Prince Olabode Adetoyi.
When I met the founder, I asked why I hadn’t heard of this. His reply was simple: “This company wasn’t established for showmanship; it was created for impact.” No signposts, no social media blitz. Just work. And the impact is exactly what Value Ingredients Limited is delivering. Nestled in Ado-Ekiti, this Agro-processing hub uplifts farmers, empowers youth, and sparks industrial growth. Prince Adetoyi said, “It wasn’t just a business idea—It was a calling to address seven critical gaps in our agricultural and economic system.”
First, job creation — employing young people, especially women and graduates. Second, empowering youth to return to farming by guaranteeing markets for their produce. Third, post-harvest losses can be reduced by processing perishables like plantain, cassava, maize, and plantain. Fourth, promoting agricultural value chains that connect producers, processors, and marketers. Fifth, positioning Ekiti as an export hub for Agro-products. Sixth, contributing to internal revenue through taxes. Seventh, leveraging the Ekiti Agro-Cargo Airport for logistics and exports.
These goals speak directly to Ekiti’s core challenges. We have land. We have a farming heritage. But we face youth unemployment, lower revenue, and the consistent outflow of raw produce without value addition. Value Ingredients Limited addresses these head-ons.
I asked what inspired him. He told me of a rainy evening in Ilawe-Ekiti where he saw a mountain of plantains by the roadside, waiting endlessly for transport to Lagos. They would likely rot because it was already evening. That moment sparked the idea — why not build a factory in Ekiti to process farm products before they spoil?
But vision alone doesn’t build factories — money does. He sold some of his houses and land assets, combined with some savings, to raise the capital for building the factory. After setting up, he struggled to buy enough raw materials, not due to scarcity, but because capital was tight. Ekiti is rich in produce; what’s needed is funding.
Standing in that factory, seeing the gleaming machinery and NAFDAC-certified products ready for local and export markets, I felt immense pride. Here is proof that Ekiti can host a cutting-edge industry. A blueprint for sustainable development rooted in agriculture.
What the company needs now isn’t applause, but support from the government, private investors, and well-meaning individuals. The factory is ready, the machines are running, and the workers are eager. What’s needed is raw materials and land for backward integration. I plead for support, not for Prince Adetoyi, but for Ekiti’s future. He is calling for partnership to massively cultivate cassava, yellow maize, plantain, yams, peppers, ginger, garlic, etc. He is asking us to invest in our growth. He seeks support not as charity, but as investment in Ekiti’s and Nigeria’s economic future.
Of course, no single company can bear the entire burden of development. That’s why he called for collaboration — with the government to finance raw materials, with communities to provide land, and with financial institutions to offer affordable credit. He’s open to contract manufacturing for clients needing Agro-processed goods.
As a resident of Ado-Ekiti, I wondered why I hadn’t heard of this company. The answer wasn’t secrecy — it was humility. Value Ingredients Limited wasn’t built for headlines but for impact. It delivers jobs for youth, markets for farmers, revenue for the government, and global recognition for Ekiti.
Most impressive is that the company doesn’t just produce for local consumption. Every product is NAFDAC-certified and export-ready. The world is waiting to taste what Ekiti offers. Imagine a future where our youth stay home for decent jobs. Where our farmers smile because their produce is processed at home. Imagine seeing “Made in Ekiti” on supermarket shelves in Lagos, Abuja, London, or New York. It’s possible — and it’s happening. But we must support it.
Let me say this clearly: Value Ingredients Limited is a blueprint for Ekiti’s industrial future. It shows what’s possible when vision meets commitments. It’s a quiet revolution that deserves amplification—not for politics or praise, but for progress.
The impact goes beyond numbers. When youth have jobs, they find purpose. When farmers earn fairly, they invest in better inputs. When the government earns steady revenue, it can plan long-term. When a state exports, its name travels to Lagos markets, European ports, and American buyers. Ekiti’s products will carry our heritage and ambition to the world.
According to his words, “As someone with nearly three decades in agriculture — including as former Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti State — I’ve seen plans fail under bureaucracy and politics”. But Prince Adetoyi’s background is solid: University of Ilorin, University of Ibadan, Lagos State University, Harvard Business School, and decades in agribusiness. This isn’t a novice’s dream—it’s a seasoned entrepreneur’s mission.
So, I write not to advertise him, but to advocate. Ekiti has rich soil and resilient people. With Value Ingredients Limited at the forefront, we can reduce youth unemployment, minimize post-harvest waste, stimulate agribusiness, and become an export hub.
To our leaders: seize this moment. Move beyond symbolic empowerment — forget motorcycles and tricycles. Equip our youth and farmers with light Agricultural machinery—tractors, harvesters, ploughs, mills—and provide cooperative funding. True empowerment is giving people the tools to create wealth.
And to every Ekiti resident—urban or rural, young or old—I say: support this initiative. Encourage Value Ingredients Limited as it expands. Share your ideas, your concerns, your resources. Let this be a homegrown success story that inspires others.
Because in the end, Ekiti’s destiny lies in our hands. We have land, talent, manpower, a tradition — and now, a working model of transformation. Value Ingredients Limited is more than a company; it’s a beacon of hope. With courage, commitment, and collaboration, we can turn potential into prosperity.
I walked out of that factory with a renewed purpose. I saw the faces of youth light up at the promise of real jobs. I saw farmers nodding at the thought of stable markets. I felt the energy of a community ready to rally behind a vision for sustainable growth. Farmers, youth, and leaders alike see in Value Ingredients Limited, a sign that the entrepreneurial spirit in Ekiti still burns bright. They feel the potential for real transformation — anchored in action, not promises.
Read Also: The Potential of Dangote Refinery On Nigeria’s Economic Growth
I close with the words of my host, Prince Olabode Adetoyi, who poured his life savings, his experience, and his unwavering belief into this enterprise: “This is for Ekiti—my home, my people, my future.” May his vision become our collective reality, and may Ekiti rise, renewed and resplendent, as a beacon of growth and development for all of Nigeria.
This promotional feature is part of our effort to spotlight rising public/private companies and establishments. To explore how your company can be profiled, reach out to our business team at ephraimhill01@gmail.com or +2348132100608
Idowu Faleye is the founder and publisher of EphraimHill DataBlog, a platform committed to Data Journalism and Policy Analysis. With Public Administration and Data Analytics background, his articles offer research-driven insights on Politics, governance and Public Service delivery
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