Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has emphasized that land is a key economic asset that must be managed responsibly to ensure equitable benefits for all citizens.
Makinde made the remarks on Thursday at the launch of the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA), held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office.
Represented by his deputy, Mr. Bayo Lawal, the governor noted that misuse of allocated land poses a serious challenge to sustainable development, environmental management, and community stability. He urged residents across the state’s 33 local government areas to actively monitor land usage in their communities.
“Some individuals and organizations apply for land under specific purposes but divert it for unintended or unauthorised activities,” Makinde said.
He explained that the FRILIA initiative reflects his administration’s commitment “to inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and responsible land governance.”
“FRILIA provides clear guidelines to ensure land-based agricultural investments are properly evaluated, adequately monitored, and beneficial to all stakeholders — particularly host communities, farmers, and investors. It will help prevent exploitation, promote environmental sustainability, and reduce land-related conflicts,” he added.
Makinde stressed that land investment should not benefit a select few at the expense of the majority. “Inclusive investment ensures that all segments of society, especially marginalized and vulnerable members, have a say in land-related transactions and decisions,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr. Akin-Fumilayo Williams, Chairman of the FRILIA Technical Committee and Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, described the initiative as a flagship component of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.
According to Williams, SABER is a World Bank-supported programme implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. FRILIA is a three-year development project designed to strengthen land governance, empower stakeholders, and enhance the state’s capacity to manage land resources efficiently.
He explained that “the FRILIA framework outlines procedures for risk assessment, community engagement, environmental protection, compensation, and grievance redress mechanisms. By integrating these components, the initiative seeks to ensure that land-intensive agricultural investments are carried out with fairness, respect for community rights, and long-term sustainability.”
Supporting Williams, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Musibau Babatunde, said the initiative aims to create a stable and predictable environment for business growth.
Babatunde added that SABER focuses on reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving transparency, and strengthening investment-friendly policies to support both local and foreign investors. He noted that FRILIA aligns with the state’s economic vision by promoting agricultural transformation and enhancing food security.
