Oyo Sugar Factory Targets 500+ Jobs as Makinde Welcomes Indian Tech Team for Commissioning in Iseyin

Oyo State is moving closer to the commencement of operations at the Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited factory in Iseyin, following the arrival of a technical team from Saba Exports Ltd, an advanced sugar industrial technology company based in India.

The delegation, led by Managing Director Khan Waseem Akhlaq, was received in the state over the weekend to begin the pre-commissioning and commissioning phases of the privately financed plant.

Governor Seyi Makinde said the project reflects his administration’s commitment to using agribusiness and private sector partnerships to drive job creation and food security in the state. He noted that the factory will not only expand local sugar production but will also integrate thousands of residents into the formal economy through direct employment and structured farming partnerships.

The Oyo Sugar and Derivatives Industries Limited is projected to produce between 24 and 27 tonnes of brown sugar and 18 tonnes of molasses daily when fully operational. The molasses output is expected to support allied industries such as ethanol production, animal feed, and other derivatives, thereby broadening the value chain beyond sugar alone.

According to the state government, the facility will create more than 500 direct jobs across production, technical, and administrative roles.

In addition, about 1,000 sugarcane farmers in Oyo State are expected to be engaged through out-grower schemes and supply agreements with the factory, providing them with a guaranteed market and improved incomes.

Iseyin was selected for the project due to its favorable agro-ecology, available land, and proximity to existing farming communities in the Oke-Ogun zone.

The arrival of Saba Exports Ltd is expected to accelerate equipment testing, staff training, and compliance checks ahead of full commissioning in the coming months.

Government officials said the sugar project aligns with the broader objectives of the Omituntun agenda, which has prioritized farm settlements, agri-hubs, and private investment to reduce dependence on imported commodities and position Oyo as a regional agro-processing hub.