Stakeholders at the 2025 FirstBank Agric & Export Expo in Lagos have called for urgent diversification of Nigeria’s economy through agriculture and non-oil exports, stressing that the country must move away from heavy dependence on crude oil revenues.
The event, themed “The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy,” brought together policymakers, financiers, farmers, and exporters to deliberate on strategies for strengthening agribusiness and positioning Nigeria more competitively in the global market.
Speaking at the forum, FirstBank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, said the expo has become a “beacon for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.” He noted that the nation stands at a pivotal point where diversification is no longer optional.
“Our history is deeply connected to agriculture and non-oil sectors. For more than a century, we have financed industries vital to Nigeria’s development, ensuring that agribusinesses and solid mineral enterprises have the resources to thrive and compete globally,” he explained.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, his Special Adviser, Mr. Ibrahim Alkali, underlined that building a non-oil export-driven economy is not simply a policy conversation but a matter of national survival.
Similarly, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for stronger investment in agriculture, noting that Nigeria must deliberately position its agricultural products for global competitiveness.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago also reinforced the call, pointing out that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made food security a central pillar of its transformation agenda.
The expo featured exhibitors from across the agriculture value chain and farmers’ associations, showcasing innovations and financial solutions designed to scale up productivity and expand Nigeria’s export base.