Lagos: Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called for more efficient agricultural value chains to enable Nigeria to transition from exporting raw commodities to value-added products for global markets. Sanwo-Olu made the call in a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of FirstBank Agric and Export Expo in Lagos. The governor was represented at the event by Ms Abisola Olusanya, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the two-day expo, with the theme ‘From Farm to Global Markets: Building Nigeria’s Export Value Chain,’ focuses on strengthening agriculture and non-oil exports through partnerships among farmers, processors, exporters, financiers, policymakers, and investors. Sanwo-Olu stated that Lagos occupies a strategic position in Nigeria’s agricultural export chain as the nation’s commercial hub and major gateway for the movement of goods, services, and capital. He cited the Imota Rice Mill, which produced over 500,000 bags of Eko Rice within a year, as an example of the opportunities created when production is linked with processing and other stages of the value chain.
The governor highlighted the state’s investment in infrastructure, cold-chain logistics, storage, and agro-industrial development to support the movement of agricultural products from farms to international markets. He urged stakeholders to focus on value addition, noting that cassava could be processed into starch and ethanol, while cocoa could be transformed into cocoa butter, liquor, and powder before export. Sanwo-Olu also called for financing structures that recognize agricultural production cycles, as conventional short-term financing models may not adequately meet the needs of agricultural businesses.
Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group, in his opening remarks, stated that the expo had evolved from an awareness and engagement initiative into a platform connecting producers, processors, exporters, financiers, policymakers, and investors. Alebiosu emphasized FirstBank’s commitment to supporting agriculture and exports as critical components of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, highlighting this year’s edition’s shift from conversations to execution by facilitating partnerships, financing solutions, market access, and knowledge exchange. He mentioned that more than 2,000 participants and 100 exhibitors are taking part in the expo, which includes discussions, technical sessions, business matchmaking, exhibitions, and networking engagements.
Gov. Mohammed Bago of Niger discussed Nigeria’s food import bill, estimating it to exceed three billion dollars, possibly rising to four billion dollars before the year’s end. Bago called for increased domestic food production and financing to de-risk agriculture, emphasizing the sector’s potential to address food insecurity, create employment, and generate foreign exchange. He noted that the state is developing irrigation, livestock, and greenhouse projects aimed at both domestic and export markets, urging banks and private investors to support agricultural production.
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State remarked that the state is progressing beyond primary agricultural production to processing, packaging, traceability, and export. Aiyedatiwa reported that Ondo had distributed over two million cocoa seedlings and inaugurated a committee on compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation to enhance traceability within its cocoa value chain. He invited investors to establish processing, storage, logistics, and other agro-industrial facilities in the state, rather than merely acquiring land or purchasing raw commodities.
Brazil’s Consul General in Lagos, Mr Ronaldo Vieira, shared insights into Brazil’s agricultural development, which was achieved through collaboration among government, private sector, research institutions, universities, producers, and financial institutions. Vieira noted that Brazil’s experience underscores the importance of integrating research, technology, skills development, production, and finance to foster agricultural value chains.