The Government of Ekiti State has inaugurated the Agriculture Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (AGRIC-MEAL) Team, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency, and performance in the agricultural sector. The inauguration ceremony took place on Thursday, 21st August 2025 at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.
It was presided over by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Oyeniyi Adebayo, who highlighted the administration’s commitment to data-driven governance and stressed that agriculture will continue to serve as a key driver of food security, job creation, and economic growth in the state.
Hon Adebayo explained that the AGRIC-MEAL Team is not just another reporting body, but a vital framework designed to monitor interventions, evaluate outcomes, ensure accountability, and foster continuous learning in line with global best practices. He emphasized that with a functional monitoring and evaluation framework, agricultural policies will deliver measurable results to farmers and rural communities, while enhancing service delivery and transparency.
The composition of the AGRIC-MEAL Team as approved by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji includes Engr. (Dr.) John Moyo Ekundayo as Coordinator, who also serves as Special Adviser/Director-General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD). Other members are Dr. Solomon Ayodeji Ekundayo, Prof. Segun Ajibola, and Engr. Adebiyi Adebayo Ojo. Mr. Adetunji Aribasoye, Senior Special Assistant, Monitoring & Evaluation, OTSD; Mr. Toba Fatunla, Special Assistant, Service Delivery, OTSD; and Mr. Akeem Olusola Salami, Director, Office of the Chief of Staff, who will serve as Secretary, were also appointed to the team.
In his remarks, the Coordinator, Engr. (Dr.) John Moyo Ekundayo, assured that the AGRIC-MEAL Team will adopt a participatory and transparent approach to its work. “Our focus will be on learning, not blame; progress, not paperwork. We are committed to a data-driven and inclusive strategy that ensures agricultural programmes are refined through evidence-based evaluation and deliver tangible benefits to farmers and rural communities,” he stated.
The event was attended by senior government officials including the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolake Olomojobi; Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olabimpe Aderiye; Special Adviser/Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Pastor James Folorunso; Special Adviser on Special Education, Princess Adetoun Agboola; Technical Advisor on Change Management, Rev. Biyi Fashoyin; Technical Advisor, OTSD, Pastor Kayode Odunayo; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Services, Dr. Lateef Oluwafemi Buhari.
Also in attendance was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Babatope, who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture. He reiterated the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the AGRIC-MEAL Team, stressing that the initiative will strengthen agricultural monitoring and accountability across the state.
The inauguration of the AGRIC-MEAL Team marks another milestone in Governor Oyebanji’s administration as it seeks to enhance innovation, accountability, and effective service delivery in agriculture.
This aligns with the Six Strategic Pillars of the government, with agriculture positioned as a foundation for sustainable economic growth and improved livelihoods in Ekiti State.