SAO Agro Allied Services Limited has refuted claims linking it to the alleged forceful eviction of farmers from farmlands in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), several farmers staged a protest on Sunday, alleging that their farms within the Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A) were being taken over by the firm, with the backing of the state government.
The protest led to the blockade of the Lagos/Ore expressway, as farmers accused the company of destroying their crops.
Addressing journalists in Akure on Monday, the firm’s Vice President, Mr. David Olijogun, stated that SAO Agro was operating within legal bounds and had obtained all necessary approvals from the Ondo State Government.
He explained that the government recognized the firm’s capacity to contribute to its palm oil production goals and allocated 10,000 hectares of land within a designated 100,000-hectare reserve. The company, he said, had fulfilled all financial obligations, including obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O).
Olijogun stressed that SAO Agro, a reputable company registered in the United Kingdom, would not engage in any activity that could tarnish its image. He added that the firm had been cultivating the land for several years and had already planted over 100,000 oil palm seedlings, with an additional 123,000 in nursery, expected to mature by 2026.
“We’re not new to this location. We’ve been here for years,” he said. “Some of the individuals protesting were initially allowed to use parts of the land temporarily. Now that we’re entering the second phase of our project, they’ve started opposing us.”
He called on the state government to clamp down on any unlawful acts that could undermine investor confidence.
“If these illegal disruptions continue, investors like us may lose faith in the system. Personally, I may consider returning to the UK,” Olijogun warned. “It is Ondo State that stands to lose, especially since this investment model is being replicated in other states.”
He also highlighted the company’s economic contributions, noting that SAO Agro pays N40 million annually to the government, in addition to earlier payments and C-of-O fees. The firm, he said, has provided employment to thousands, with some graduates earning between N300,000 and N700,000—far above what is typically offered in the public sector.
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