By Moyofoluwa Ogunyemi & Aderonke Gbogboade
As part of preparations for the upcoming Investors’ Forum on fish feed production in Lagos State, the RMRDC Lagos State Coordination Office paid a working visit to First OWAT Farms, located in Oko Ito, Ikorodu, on Friday, 11th September 2025. The visit aimed to explore potential collaboration on sustainable fish feed production in alignment with the Forum’s objectives. The RMRDC delegation, led by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ojiakor, was warmly received by the Managing Director/CEO of First OWAT Farms, Otunba Adeniyi Jones.
In her introductory remarks, Mrs. Ojiakor briefed the MD/CEO, First OWAT Farms on RMRDC’s mandate, highlighting Council’s activities, achievements and strategic initiatives to promote import substitution, local content development, and value addition across industrial sectors. She emphasized the importance of leveraging local raw materials, nurturing partnerships, and driving innovation as key levers for strengthening Nigeria’s industrial base and achieving sustainable economic growth.
Introducing First OWAT Farms, Otunba Jones described it as a fully integrated agribusiness with operations in fish farming, fish feed production, palm oil processing, groundnut farming, rice cultivation and cassava production. He emphasized that the farm produces most of its raw materials, reflecting a strong commitment to self-sufficiency and sustainable agriculture. He also highlighted the farm’s pioneering approach to fish feed production using entirely locally sourced inputs, including cassava flour, rice husk, soybeans, groundnut, wheat offal, and locally produced fish meal. This approach, he noted, reduces reliance on imports, supports local farmers, and strengthens Nigeria’s economic resilience. Otunba Jones further revealed that, following challenges with imported machinery, First OWAT Farms partnered with local fabricators in Agege, Lagos, to design and build its feed production equipment. Presently, the farm’s feed production lines are powered by locally manufactured machines, showcasing the potential of indigenous technology.
RMRDC team was later guided on an insightful tour of the farm’s facilities, which included the feed production units, drying ovens, packaging areas, fish ponds, and storage facilities. During the tour, Otunba Jones explained that beyond production, First OWAT Farms invests in human capital development through CSR initiatives such as training for unemployed youths, capacity-building for NYSC members, and women empowerment programs in agribusiness. He also called for stronger government policies to prioritise local production, protect Nigerian farmers, and encourage indigenous industries; noting that it is the fastest path to economic growth, reduced capital flight, and job creation.
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In response, the RMRDC team affirmed that the farm’s activities align strongly with RMRDC’s mandate to promote local content and homegrown innovation. The team commended First OWAT Farms as a model of import substitution, grassroots empowerment, and value addition. The RMRDC team urged the Company’s prominent inclusion in the upcoming Investors’ Forum to highlight the potential of Nigerian agribusinesses driven by local raw materials and innovation. Potential areas of collaboration discussed included joint research on fish feed formulations, standardization of locally fabricated equipment and partnership on youth and women training programs.
Other RMRDC staff members who joined the State Coordinator on the visit were: Assistant Director, Mrs. Ebele Nwajuaku; Senior Scientific Officers, Ms. Aderonke Gbogboade and Mr. Matthew Odesanya.
