Oyo State Government has entered into a public-private partnership with CTH Trading Stores Limited for the development of a 481.028-hectare Smart Agro-Cosmopolitan City in Saki, Oke-Ogun, in a move aimed at strengthening agriculture, commerce and sustainable urban development in the region.

The partnership was formalised through a Letter of Engagement issued by the Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYSNTCDA), appointing CTH Trading Stores Limited as the state’s preferred development partner for the project.

According to a statement issued by the company on Monday, the smart city will be sited on the old Veterinary premises, off Oje-Owode Road, Saki, covering about 481.028 hectares, equivalent to nearly 1,200 acres.

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The development is expected to combine agriculture with technology-driven infrastructure to stimulate economic growth and position the Oke-Ogun axis as a major commercial and agricultural hub.

The statement said the project would be implemented in phases and would include a smart agro-logistics hub equipped with wholesale trading facilities, temperature-controlled cold storage systems and automated supply chain infrastructure to facilitate regional and cross-border trade.

It added that the city would also feature off-grid solar-powered electricity, localised water supply systems, eco-friendly residential estates, technology-driven business districts and a digital land administration system integrated with the Oyo State Government’s property registry to ensure transparent and secure land ownership.

Managing Director of CTH Trading Stores Limited, Mr Covenant Abimbola, described the project as a strategic investment capable of transforming the economic fortunes of the Oke-Ogun region.

“We are not just building houses; we are creating a sustainable economic engine for the region by combining green technology with Saki’s agricultural strength and commercial potential,” Abimbola said.

He commended Governor Seyi Makinde and the leadership of the OYSNTCDA for promoting public-private partnerships aimed at accelerating regional development and community empowerment.

Abimbola disclosed that environmental impact assessments, site mapping, zoning and preliminary site clearing had commenced, while stakeholder engagement meetings with host communities would begin in the coming weeks.

According to him, the official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, after which construction of the first phase, covering about 180 hectares, will commence.

CTH Trading Stores Limited, a subsidiary of Tinath Holdings Limited, said the project aligns with its commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure, promoting commerce and creating long-term economic opportunities for communities across Nigeria.