Lagos: Stakeholders across Nigeria’s agro-food ecosystem say achieving world-class food security is attainable with intentional, sustained investment, policy consistency, and value-chain integration, transforming it into a globally competitive and value-driven industry.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the assertion was made at the 11th Agro-food Nigeria Conference and Exhibition held in Lagos. The theme of the event was ‘Achieving World-Class Food Security in Nigeria.’ This conference, a West African business platform for the agro-food industry, highlighted the growing opportunities and challenges within Nigeria’s food system.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasized the disconnect between Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential and the low income of farmers, underscoring the need for urgent reforms. Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, Sanwo-Olu described Lagos as Africa’s largest single food consumption market. The state government is addressing food system challenges by developing agro-produce hubs and last-mile distribution outlets to reduce waste and improve food access.
Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Ltd., noted that agriculture was once Nigeria’s largest employer and a key contributor to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Rewane highlighted that recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have disrupted global supply chains, raising fuel and fertilizer costs, which in turn have pushed up food prices. However, he suggested that Nigeria could leverage its large domestic market and production capacity to strengthen agro-value chains and increase export earnings. He also warned that rising input costs, logistics bottlenecks, insecurity, and power shortages could limit the sector’s growth potential, projecting continued pressure on food prices unless global tensions subside.
Mr. Francis Meshioye, President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), cited United Nations World Food Programme data indicating that about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023. This places global hunger at a stubbornly high level, with Africa experiencing the most severe hunger, including 30 million hungry persons in Nigeria, signaling a systemic emergency. Meshioye stressed that reliance on small-scale farming is insufficient and that subsistence alone cannot secure Nigeria’s economic future. He advocated for scaling up agro-industrial complexes to feed Nigeria and the continent, emphasizing the need for value addition to agricultural produce.
Dr. Jani Ibrahim, President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), called for repositioning agriculture as a driver of industrialization and inclusive growth. Despite agriculture contributing about 23 percent to Nigeria’s GDP, Ibrahim noted that its benefits have not been fully realized due to productivity constraints, weak value addition, and poor market linkages. He highlighted the persistent challenge of youth unemployment, urging a recalibration of the country’s approach towards agribusiness as a vehicle for job creation and economic inclusion. Ibrahim emphasized that the pathway to food security must transcend primary production and be anchored on value-chain integration, linking agriculture to industry, logistics, finance, and regional markets.
Mr. Paul Marz, Managing Director of Fairtrade, the organizer of the event, reported that the 2026 edition recorded its largest international participation, with over 100 exhibitors from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Marz projected that Nigeria’s food market would reach 258 billion dollars in 2026, with an annual growth rate of 10.76 percent between 2025 and 2030. He noted that Nigeria imported food and packaging technology worth 265 million euros in 2024, while food imports stood at 6.1 billion dollars in 2023. According to Marz, the conference facilitates technology transfer, strengthens supply chains, and supports investment decisions across West Africa. With backing from over 20 respected organizations, including international chambers, government ministries, trade agencies, and industry associations, agro-food Nigeria 2026 reinforces its position as West Africa’s leading hub for the agro-food and packaging sectors. Marz emphasized that active involvement from key Nigerian and international mi
nistries, authorities, and associations would ensure a comprehensive industry perspective.