John Alamu, the Founder and Group Managing Director of CapitalSage Holdings, has emphasized the need for intensified investment in agro-industrialization and value addition as a pivotal approach for the long-term economic development of Ondo State.
Alamu made this appeal during the Ondo Investment Summit 2026, which was themed "The New Ondo: Forging the Pathway to Prosperity." He urged both investors and policymakers to advance beyond mere primary agriculture, advocating for a focus on large-scale processing, manufacturing, and establishing integrated value chains.
He highlighted that while Ondo State boasts a wealth of agricultural resources, strategic geographical positioning, and a workforce with the necessary skills, true economic transformation will only be realized when raw agricultural products are converted into goods with higher value.
Alamu reiterated that value addition is critical for sustainable development, as it enhances productivity, generates skilled employment, keeps wealth within the state, and improves Nigeria's competitiveness in global value chains.
Sharing insights from his experience in revitalizing struggling industrial assets, Alamu pointed out that large-scale agro-processing is practical and already yielding positive outcomes.
"Through Johnvents Group, which acts as a global participant in the value chain and the agro-processing division of CapitalSage Holdings, we have successfully transformed previously inactive industrial assets into fully operational production centers," he stated.
He explained that an initial troubled cocoa processing facility in Akure has expanded into a network of ten factories across four significant locations in Ondo State.
The facilities include an 18,000-metric-ton cocoa processing plant in Akure, a 30,000-metric-ton Premium Cocoa Products factory in Ile-Oluji, along with the Noble-Eagle Industrial Complex situated in Idanre and Owo.
These factories manufacture cocoa derivatives, edible oils, seasoning cubes, beverages, and animal feeds for both local and international markets.
Alamu disclosed that the group currently provides direct and indirect employment for over 3,000 individuals, integrates more than 20,000 farmers into organized supply chains, and supports upwards of 10,000 students through various education, vocational training, and sports initiatives.
He indicated that for Ondo State to advance economically, there must be a concentration on expanding processing capacities, enhancing infrastructure, and fostering partnerships between governmental bodies and private investors.
"The immediate needs are scaling operations, improving processing capabilities, enhancing infrastructure, and ensuring sustained collaboration between public and private capital," he expressed.
Moreover, he called for better power supply, clearer regulations, and stable policies to draw in more investments into the agro-industrial sector.
He asserted that economic transformation is expedited when governmental impediments are minimized and private investors respond with significant capital investment.
"When the government alleviates obstructions and private investments come into play decisively, transformation quickens," he concluded.
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