Inside Ogbomoso's Economy: Farming, Trade and a Hard-Working Diaspora

Ogbomoso may not be a big industrial city, but it has a busy, hard-working economy built on farming, trade, education and the support of its diaspora.

Farming

The fertile land around Ogbomoso supports a wide range of crops:

• Cashew, one of the area's main cash crops (see our report on the national cashew roadmap).

• Yam, cassava and maize, which feed local markets and are sent to cities like Ibadan and Lagos.

• Fruits such as mango and oranges in season.

Markets and trade

Central areas such as Oja Igbo and Takie are hubs for traders selling food, clothing, building materials and household goods. Many residents run small businesses, from tailoring and hairdressing to welding and phone repairs.

The student economy

LAUTECH brings thousands of students into the city every year. Landlords, food vendors, printing shops, transport workers and many others depend on student spending. That is why university strikes, such as the current ASUU action, are felt across the local economy.

A strong diaspora

Ogbomoso people are known for travelling and settling across Nigeria and abroad. Ogbomoso communities have long lived in cities such as Jos and other parts of Northern Nigeria, a story recently captured in a documentary on the road from Ogbomoso to Jos that premiered in both cities in September 2026. Money and investment sent home by the diaspora support families, build houses and fund community projects.

Opportunities ahead

• Agro-processing: processing cashew, cassava and other crops locally.

• Tech and digital skills: building on LAUTECH and new training centres.

• Better roads: ongoing road works should make it easier to move goods.

• Diaspora investment: organised investment into local businesses and infrastructure.