As Ondo State marks 50 years since its creation, one of the defining stories emerging from the Golden Jubilee celebrations is how private-sector investment is translating the state’s long-standing agricultural strengths into industrial growth and employment opportunities.
Ondo is one of Nigeria’s major cocoa-producing states. For decades, cocoa farming has supported rural livelihoods across the state. However, like much of West Africa, the crop has historically been exported in raw form, limiting participation in a global chocolate market valued at over $130 billion. The challenge has been less about production and more about value capture.
According to Johnvents Group, a multinational agribusiness, its operations in Ondo State are designed to address this gap by processing agricultural commodities closer to their source and retaining a greater share of economic value locally.
At the Ondo @ 50 celebrations, Johnvents highlighted how this shift is taking shape. With 10 factories operating in Ondo State, Johnvents has established an integrated value chain that spans sourcing from farmers, local processing, and the production of higher-value outputs for domestic and export markets. The facilities link agriculture more directly to manufacturing, support industrial activity, and make Johnvents one of the largest employers of labour in Ondo State.
“Ondo State has grown cocoa and other crops for decades,” said John Alamu, Founder and Group Managing Director, Johnvents Group. “Our focus is on processing these commodities here at home, creating jobs, and building products that can compete globally.”
He noted that value addition extends beyond physical infrastructure. “It is about people, farmers, technicians, engineers, and young professionals, who together form the foundation of a sustainable industrial economy. With the right policies and infrastructure, Ondo State can deepen value addition and strengthen its position in regional and global markets.”
Beyond cocoa, Johnvents’ operations span cashew, sesame, legumes, almonds, pistachios, rice, edible oil, animal feed, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and logistics. The company operates across multiple countries and markets, with activities extending beyond Nigeria into other parts of Africa and international markets, positioning Ondo State as a critical hub within its broader global value chains.
During the Golden Jubilee celebrations, Johnvents congratulated the people and government of Ondo State on the milestone and also congratulated Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Executive Governor of Ondo State, on his one year in office.
“Ondo at 50 is a moment of pride for the people of the state,” Alamu said. “We congratulate the government and citizens of Ondo State on this Golden Jubilee and commend the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the state continues to strengthen its economic and industrial foundation.”
As Ondo looks ahead to its next 50 years, stakeholders say continued investment in agro-processing, infrastructure, and skills development will be essential. Ensuring that crops grown in the state are not only harvested locally but also processed, branded, and sold to markets across Nigeria and beyond will determine how fully Ondo converts its agricultural strength into long-term economic value.
