An agribusiness company, Origin Tech Group Nigeria Ltd, has intensified efforts to boost agricultural productivity in Southwest region through a strategic partnership with Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, Osun State.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed at the university’s campus, the company said the partnership was expected to culminate in the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Agriculture.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Executive Director, Corporate Services of Origin Tech Group, Mr. Olusesan Ayeni, said the agreement was designed to create a best-in-class agricultural hub in the Southwest by harnessing the immense farming potential of the region.

Ayeni explained that the collaboration represents a strategic alignment between industry and academia, combining the company’s strength in large-scale mechanised farming with OAU’s expertise in research, teaching, and manpower development.

He assured that the initiative would deepen agricultural value chain development by creating practical learning opportunities for students while promoting modern, knowledge-driven and technology-enabled farming practices.

Ayeni noted that the partnership would also link the firm’s extensive experience in commercial mechanised agriculture with the university’s capacity-building framework, positioning the proposed centre as a catalyst for enhanced food production and agribusiness innovation.

He said: “This robust agreement is anchored on establishing a best in class centre of agriculture in the Southwest of Nigeria harnessing the vast potential of the region in farming through a unique handshake, standing shoulder to shoulder and linking the vast capabilities of Origin Tech Group in large scale mechanised farming management with the deep knowledge of the University in capacity building and manpower development.”

In his comment, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, commended the partnership, describing it as timely.Bamire also said the agreement aligned with the institution’s commitment to fostering industry-driven academic collaborations.

The proposed centre is expected to serve as a hub for research, innovation and training, while contributing to food security, employment generation and wealth creation in the Southwest and beyond.

Bamire said: “Optimism, readiness and openness of the university community to worthy initiatives and partnership such as this, embodied in the hopes, dreams and aspiration that it holds for the current and future generations of faculty members, scholars and agripreneurs.”