Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday said Nigeria’s agricultural produce had the potential to compete in the global market, but lack of access to finance for local farmers remained a major barrier.
Speaking at the First Bank 2025 Agric and Export Expo held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Sanwo-Olu noted that although crop production in the country had improved, Nigeria’s share of agricultural exports was still below expectations.
He stressed that the country continued to export mostly raw commodities instead of processed and packaged products, thereby losing opportunities for wealth creation, job growth, and stronger global competitiveness.
The event, themed “The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy,” brought together policymakers, investors, producers, and entrepreneurs to discuss strategies for diversifying Nigeria’s economy through agriculture and exports.
Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, also spoke at the forum. He argued that countries that export only raw produce are denied the full value of their exports, while those that process and brand their products gain stronger influence on global pricing.
Bago added that farmers in Niger State were already benefiting from dairy and protein production, and the government was working to equip them with the skills and capacity to convert raw produce into finished goods for higher returns.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized that with vast arable land, an energetic youth population, and resilient entrepreneurs, Nigeria must shift from dependence on oil to a productivity-driven economy anchored on value addition and non-oil exports.
