Six days after the controversial revocation of Certificate of Occupancy of about 13,545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc by the Edo State Government, Governor, Monday Okpebholo has said as an investor he cannot be the one sending investors out of the state.Business Day | 27 November 2025Edo govt denies revoking Presco’s 13,545 hectares of land
by Idris Umar Momoh
The Edo State Government has denied the purported revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy of 13,545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc.
Kassim Afegbua, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, disclosed this while speaking with BusinessDay on the phone in Benin City.
According to him, the information is not true.
BusinessDay reports that a viral notice signed by the Governor, Monday Okpebholo, dated November 21, 2025, noted that the land was revoked in accordance with Sections 28 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (Now an Act).
He added that the action was taken for overriding public interest and also noted that there are two oil wells on the land.
According to the notice, the Revocation of Right of Occupancy and Compensation thereof is in Pursuance of Section 28 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 (Now an Act).
“Notice is hereby given that in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by sections (28) 1 and 38 of the Land Use Decree No. 6 of 1978 and by virtue of all other laws enabling me on that behalf, I, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, the Governor of Edo State of Nigeria hereby revokes the Statutory Right of Occupancy granted to PRESCO PLC for over-riding public interest.
“The revocation notice is on all that property known and referred to as digital Plot: No 38445, Rural Zone / B33/Ologbo, Benin City in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State measuring an area of approximately 13,545 hectares.
“The boundaries of which are described in detailed survey at the back of the Certificate of Occupancy dated 23rd day of February, 2025, which is registered as No. 133 at Page 1 in Volume 30 now kept in EDOGIS Lands Registry at Benin City, Edo State in favour of PRESCO PLC for over-riding public interest and for the fact that two oil wells are on the land”, he said.
Presco Plc is the largest private palm oil plantation in the State and Nigeria’s biggest palm oil maker.
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December 1, 2025
By Enahoro Iyemefokhai
Six days after the controversial revocation of Certificate of Occupancy of about 13,545 hectares of land belonging to Presco Plc by the Edo State Government, Governor, Monday Okpebholo has said as an investor he cannot be the one sending investors out of the state.
DAILY POST recalls that the State Government had on November 22, 2025, in an advertorial on a national daily announced the revocation of the hectares of land belonging to the palm oil giant.
The revocation order which later became controversial was allegedly done for over-riding public interest as well as two oil wells on the land.
The Governor spoke while receiving the chairman and the managing director of Presco Plc, Mr Rasheed Sarumi and Mr Raji George during a courtesy visit to the Government House on Monday in Benin City.
“I am an investor myself. I cannot be the one sending investors away. That impression is completely wrong. You are here by the grace of God, and you will prosper here.
“Presco to me has been here for a very long time. Just a few days ago, there was a misunderstanding which I believe someone tried to politicise. There was nothing in it. There were reasons tied to natural resources why certain areas were reviewed.
“If I have anything against you, I will call you. Last time I received complaints from communities on compensation, I called your MD immediately because I believe in addressing issues directly,” he said.
Okpebholo who condemned narratives portraying Edo as hostile to investors, described such claims as “misleading and satanic”.
He noted that whenever there are issues, his administration prefers dialogue rather than speculation or misinformation.
He, however, assured the management team of the company of his government’s support, noting that the state remains a prime destination for agricultural investment.
The Governor, who opined that Presco has been a long-standing partner in Edo State’s agricultural development, however, dismissed recent controversies surrounding portions of land for revocation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural expansion, adding that upon assuming office, the government increased the agriculture allocation in the inherited budget from N5 billion to N70 billion.
He said the increment signaled his administration’s determination to drive food security and agro-industrial growth.
“Agricultural revolution is the best way to go, and it aligns perfectly with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. For food security, we must grow what we eat and export what we grow. Edo has fertile land, and your investment here is not a waste,” he stated.
Earlier, Presco Chairman Mr Rasheed Sarumi commended the Governor for providing a stable governance structure, improved security, and an enabling environment that encouraged SIAT’s $100 million investment decision.
Sarumi noted that Nigeria received only $250 million in FDI this year, 2025, making Presco’s share a significant boost to the national economy.
He expressed confidence that the new investment will strengthen Presco’s expansion plans and reinforce Edo State’s position as the centre of Nigeria’s agro-industrial revolution.
