By Rapheal Zika Bobby
By Zika Bobby
The 2025 World Cassava Day celebration was held in grand style in Abuja, spotlighting cassava as a cornerstone for food security, rural prosperity, and global competitiveness.
The event, themed: “Farm to Global Markets: Driving Industrialization, Food Security & Exports”, brought together leaders from government, business, and development institutions to chart a new course for cassava-led growth.
Cavista Holdings, in partnership with its agribusiness subsidiary, Agbeyewa Farms, served as headline sponsors of the national event, reaffirming their joint commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial future.
Delivering the keynote address, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, declared cassava a symbol of national resilience and opportunity.
“Cassava, which for long symbolised food security for the vulnerable, can also signify prosperity for the ambitious,” said the Vice President. “This administration is repositioning cassava as a driver of industrial development, rural livelihoods, and import substitution. We are moving from subsidy-heavy programmes to investment-led solutions anchored on private capital, research, and coordinated national action.”
The Chairman of Cavista Holdings, Niyi John Olajide, in a goodwill message, emphasized cassava’s strategic importance to national development. “We see cassava not just as a crop — but as a strategic asset in Nigeria’s journey toward economic diversification, rural empowerment, and global competitiveness,” Olajide said.
“Our investment through Agbeyewa Farms — with 5,000 hectares already under cultivation — is a bold statement of intent. We believe that the real wealth of a nation lies in its people, and the best policy is jobs, jobs, and more jobs.”
Olajide, who was represented at the event by the Executive Director and Vice President of Government and External Affairs Mr. Olumide Olayomi, commended the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing pride in Cavista Holding’s role as a private sector partner committed to agriculture, job creation, and shared prosperity.
“As we celebrate World Cassava Day, let us remember: every hectare planted, every youth trained, every innovation scaled — is a step toward a more secure, prosperous and export-ready Nigeria,” said Mr. Olajide.
Also speaking, Cavista’s Director of Strategy, Kabir Shagaya, reaffirmed the company’s strategic commitment to food security, inclusive growth, and innovation-led agriculture:
“At Cavista Holdings, cassava is more than a crop — it is a platform for national development. Our investments reflect our belief that business must be a force for good, with agriculture at the heart of shared prosperity,” he said.
Agbeyewa Farms is leading Nigeria’s cassava revolution through a landmark public-private partnership with the Ekiti State Government. From a modest start just two years ago, the farm now operates at scale; 5,000 hectares under active cultivation, over 1,000 direct jobs created and currently yields up to 32 tons per hectare, exceeding national averages. It also has starch content of 27.7%, above industry benchmarks.
“Our goal goes beyond cultivation — we are building an integrated value chain to process cassava into starch, ethanol, flour, and more,” said Managing Director of Agbeyewa Farms, Seyi Ayeleso.
“With support from the Ekiti State Government and strong community partnerships, Agbeyewa is proving that agriculture can be a platform for national pride and prosperity,” Aiyeleso added.