In the heart of Ekiti State, a young entrepreneurial team is quietly changing how Nigeria approaches food security and agricultural value addition. Value Ingredients Limited, founded by former Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Adetoyi, represents the kind of private investments and practical execution that the Southwest region needs to build a sustainable agricultural future.

Building From the Ground Up

What sets Value Ingredients Limited apart is their comprehensive approach to agricultural business. Operating across 2,000 hectares of farmland and 10 specialised wetland areas, the company has embraced backward integration as their core strategy. “We aim to produce at least 60% of our own raw materials in-house,” explains Mr. Falade Ayokunle, Director of Operations, during a recent visit by the DAWN Commission team to the company’s operational base in Ado-Ekiti. “This approach gives us better control over our supply chain and helps protect our business from market fluctuations.”

By controlling their raw materials from farm to finished product, Value Ingredients Limited has created a model that addresses multiple challenges facing Southwest Nigeria’s agricultural sector. They cultivate maize, cassava, plantains, and yams on their organic farms, processing these into market-ready products including Poundo yam, unripe plantain flour, dry Ogi maize powder, odourless Fufu, and Garri.

Strategic Location, Strategic Thinking

The company’s processing facility exemplifies thoughtful planning that other regional businesses could emulate. Positioned to ensure all raw materials reach the facility within one hour of transport, even during heavy traffic, this proximity is particularly crucial for perishable crops like cassava, which begins deteriorating just 48 hours after harvest.

At full capacity, their facility processes 31.5 tonnes of cassava daily, converting approximately 10 tonnes into finished products ready for market distribution. Beyond standard retail, the company welcomes production orders that can be customized for corporate gifts, party items, or specific client needs. This production volume not only meets growing consumer demand but also actively reduces dependence on imported goods—a critical consideration for Nigeria’s food security strategy.

Leading by Example in Quality and Safety

Perhaps most importantly, Value Ingredients Limited has prioritised food safety through natural farming methods. Recognising the chemical contamination issues that have plagued agricultural producers, particularly in aquaculture, they have developed a different system entirely. The company works directly with farmers, providing comprehensive training on natural and safe farming methods, and then maintains regular contact and oversight to ensure quality standards are met.

“By controlling our raw materials and focusing on chemical-free production methods, we are able to guarantee consistently high-quality products that our customers can trust,” Ayokunle notes. This commitment addresses a critical regional need—Southwest Nigeria can no longer depend on open-air or roadside purchases that lack trust and security. The time to transform our food system is now, moving toward traceable, quality-assured products. Their packaging already meets international standards, demonstrating that Nigerian agribusiness can compete globally when properly executed.

A Model Worth Replicating

During the visit led by DAWN Commission’s Director-General, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, the broader implications of Value Ingredients Limited’s work became clear. Oyeleye notes that what Value Ingredients Limited is accomplishing goes beyond basic food processing—it is actively solving critical regional challenges.

The company creates guaranteed markets for local producers, providing farmers with reliable income opportunities and tangible incentives to maintain their agricultural livelihoods. This approach helps reduce rural-to-urban migration by creating viable economic options in rural communities—exactly the kind of sustainable development the Southwest region needs.

Youth Leadership in Action

What stands out most about Value Ingredients Limited is their young, entrepreneurial team. These aren’t conventional employees but builders and innovators creating something meaningful from the ground up. Their hands-on involvement in every aspect of the business—from soil preparation to final product delivery—demonstrates the kind of dedication that transforms challenging business environments into opportunities.

“The significance of seeing young professionals not merely participating but actively leading such an enterprise cannot be overstated,” notes Biodun Oladipo, DAWN Commission’s Head of Programmes. This leadership sends a powerful message that Value Ingredients Limited represents a serious, mission-driven venture with genuine commitment to agricultural transformation.

Looking Forward

For the Southwest region, Value Ingredients Limited offers a blueprint for agricultural innovation that addresses food security, youth engagement, climate adaptation, and sustainable rural development simultaneously. Their success proves that with strategic thinking, quality focus, and entrepreneurial commitment, regional champions can emerge to tackle Nigeria’s biggest challenges while building profitable, sustainable businesses.

Their commitment to scaling operations responsibly, developing technical partnerships, and maintaining operational excellence positions them as a regional champion worth watching and supporting. The company actively welcomes investors who share their vision of transforming Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through quality, transparency, and sustainable practices.

As Dr. Oyeleye concluded, “This operation deserves support from investors and policymakers.” Value Ingredients Limited represents more than a typical food processing enterprise; the company is a practical problem-solver addressing food security at a crucial moment.” 

In a sector often plagued by challenges, Value Ingredients Limited stands as proof that the Southwest region has the talent, vision, and capability to lead Nigeria’s agricultural transformation. 

Contact:
Dr. Ezekiel Olabode Adetoyi.                                                                       Mr. Falade Elijah Ayo.
Chief Executive Officer                                                                                   Director of Operations
+2348033225333                                                                                                   +2348135629407
olabodeadetoyi@valueingredientsltd.ng                                                           ayokunlefalade@valueinigredientsltd.ng
https://valueingredientsltd.ng/about-us/