The Oyo State Government officially unveiled and launched the toolkit for the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land Investment in Agriculture (FRILIA) project today, marking a significant commitment to transforming the state’s agricultural landscape.
The Deputy Governor, who spoke at the ceremony, emphasized that the FRILIA initiative is a core pledge towards building a future underpinned by responsibility, inclusiveness, transparency, and sustainability in land investment.
The Deputy Governor stated that FRILIA is “not merely a bureaucratic measure; it is a commitment, a pledge to every individual and community within the State.” The framework is set to redefine how land investments are managed, ensuring integrity and care for all stakeholders, particularly local communities and vulnerable groups.
Pillars of the FRILIA Framework
The Deputy Governor detailed the four core principles that form the foundation of the FRILIA framework:
FRILIA will provide robust guidelines for fair land acquisition, holding all investors accountable for respecting the rights of landowners, farmers, and local communities. “We will strive to create a marketplace where fairness prevails, and the voices of local communities are not only heard but influential,” he affirmed.
Land investment must benefit all segments of society, especially the marginalized. The government will implement community sensitization tools to educate local populations about their rights, investment opportunities, and potential risks, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.
The framework commits to ensuring that all processes related to land acquisition and investment are open and accessible. New investors’ compliance standards will mandate full disclosure of intentions and processes. This transparency is meant to empower communities to hold both Local Governments and investors accountable.
FRILIA prioritizes environmental and social safeguards to ensure agricultural practices do not compromise natural resources like soil and water, or biodiversity.
Monitoring and reporting mechanisms will be established to track the impact of investments over time.
Government’s Commitment and Future Outlook
The Deputy Governor highlighted the State Government’s proactive steps, including the signing of an Executive Order in the last year to signal a strong commitment to FRILIA’s implementation. Furthermore, a Statewide sensitization exercise has already been conducted across the six zones to build capacity among the populace and ensure the framework “come to stay.”
The successful adoption of FRILIA is expected to open a wide door for commercial agricultural practice in Oyo State, leveraging mechanization and innovative drive technology. The government projects that this shift will lead to:
Food Security.
Employment Generation
Increased Export Revenue
In his concluding remarks, the Deputy Governor urged citizens to educate themselves on their rights and engage actively with the tools provided through FRILIA, stating, “Your involvement is key to safeguarding your interests and the future of your communities.”
The Deputy Governor officially launched the implementation of FRILIA in the State, signaling a new era of ethical and profitable agricultural investment.
The event was attended by members of the Oyo State cabinet, investor’s, farmers and other critical stakeholders.
