A landmark partnership between Odogbolu Local Government and Skillicorn Nigeria Limited is set to transform the lives of thousands of people in the community through a $250 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the New Circular Economy (NCE) project.

Present at the signing of the MoU on Tuesday July 22, 2025 at Tanimowo Villa—the country home of the Executive Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya were traditional rulers from the Alekun axis, community leaders from Eyinwa, Odogbolu I and II, Aiyepe, and Okun Owa, alongside key players from the local government, including legislative leaders and councillors representing Wards 3, 4, 5, and 6.

International partners, Messrs. Paul Skillicorn and Engr. Femi Adeniji also monitored proceedings online from the United States.

The project, rooted in a 100 percent agriculture-based economy, aims to deliver lasting infrastructure, employment, and food security to host communities.

According to Sunday Adegbuyi, Managing Director of Skillicorn Nigeria Limited, the NCE project is designed to provide electricity, pipe-borne water, modern toilet facilities, and kitchen gardens at no cost to the residents.

“The initiative is designed to provide a sustainable solution to the community’s needs, and we’re excited to partner with Odogbolu Local Government to make it happen,” Adegbuyi said.

“The project is not a charity, but a partnership model in which households will actively participate in the economic activities that generate the benefits they enjoy.”

He further said, “Around 30 percent of the output will be consumed at home—improving nutrition and well-being—while the balance will be marketed daily into Lagos’s premium retail, hospitality, and health-conscious consumer sectors. Some families may choose to sell their entire output, leveraging the project’s distribution and pricing power to generate substantial passive income”.

“This is not a charity. It is a commercial venture grounded in circular principles and propelled by profitability. The New Circular Economy (NCE) system harnesses free inputs—sunlight, waste, organic biomass—to drive value creation.”

The pilot phase of the project, expected to cost over $21 million, will involve 80 households in Eyinwa town and provide 28 megawatts of electricity, serving not only Eyinwa but also other towns across Odogbolu Local Government Area and Ogun State at large.

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Diya noted that the NCE project aligns perfectly with his administration’s goals of job creation, revenue generation, and sustainable economic growth.

“The partnership with Skillicorn Nigeria Limited is a major step toward ensuring that every community in Odogbolu Local Government gains access to affordable and sustainable energy sources,” Diya stated.

“This project will not only improve the lives of our residents but also contribute to the economic development of our state and country.”

Explaining how important the project is to every community in Ogun State, he noted that the state government and the Odogbolu Local Council would do everything to make it sustainable, having secured legislative backing for it.
The project is expected to create over 200 direct jobs and stimulate economic activity in the area, while also improving food security and promoting economic independence among participating communities.

Residents will manage kitchen gardens and poultry, with the daily proceeds from sales used to cover costs such as electricity. In addition, families will retain some of the farm produce for personal consumption, thereby reducing their cost of living and improving their well-being.
The NCE project is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in driving economic growth and community development.

By investing in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture, the project will contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for the residents of Odogbolu Local Government.

With its focus on sustainable energy, job creation, and economic independence, the NCE project is a shining example of how business can be a force for good in society.

The partnership between Odogbolu Local Government and Skillicorn Nigeria Limited is seen as a significant step towards promoting sustainable economic growth and community development in the area.

The project is aligned with the broader vision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Governor of Ogun State, who have consistently promoted private sector collaboration as essential to national development.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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