By Felix Omoh-Asun
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, has commended First Bank Nigeria Plc for convening stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for repositioning agribusiness and non-oil exports.
Mr. Ibrahim, who spoke at the First Bank Agric & Export Expo recently, and was represented at the event by Mr. Ernest Ihedigbo, General Manager, Technical Services, praised First Bank for its contribution towards food security.
Speaking in a panel session at the expo, Mr. Ihedigbo highlighted NADF funding structures critical to addressing food security challenges and driving Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
Indeed, it was a statement of fact for First Bank when it hosted the expo that it was committed to driving Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda through strategic support for agriculture and non-oil exports.
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The expo with the theme: “The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy,” was held in Lagos, and attracted leading voices in agribusiness, finance and policy.
The event brought together stakeholders in the agricultural sector, eager to explore ways of collaborating to boost the value chain in the sector and improve the financing model for what is noted as a viable industry.
The expo is part of the bank’s commitment to supporting agricultural businesses across the value chain.
The chief executive of the bank, Olusegun Alebiosu said the expo has evolved into a defining platform for advancing Nigeria’s economic priorities, particularly food security, agribusiness, solid minerals, and non-oil exports.
According to him, the expo “reflects our shared vision for a stronger, more resilient economy anchored on food security and export diversification.”
He stressed that, the renamed Agric & Export Expo was a demonstration of the bank’s renewed commitment to positioning non-oil exports as a transformative force in Nigeria’s economy.
Alebiosu noted that First Bank, with over a century of history has played a defining role in financing critical sectors, particularly agriculture, across sub-Saharan Africa. “Our portfolio spans the full spectrum of agribusiness, from primary production to processing and export. Across the country, our teams deliver sector-focused financial solutions to ensure enterprises thrive and compete globally,” Alebiosu said.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Durojaiye, the chief executive of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni, described the expo as timely and strategic. She commended First Bank for convening stakeholders around the urgent task of diversifying the economy away from oil dependence.
“Nigeria has the human capital, arable land, and market size to become a global agro-industrial hub. By prioritizing value addition, technology-driven agribusiness, and export readiness, we can reposition Nigeria as a global powerhouse,” Ayeni said.
She highlighted government reforms to simplify export processes, reduce trade bottlenecks, and expand access to credit for exporters. She also stressed Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and digital trade opportunities to strengthen SMEs and boost competitiveness.
The Agric Expo launched in 2017 was designed as a lead to national discourse on the economic benefits of sustainable agriculture value-chain as an alternative source of economic development and foreign exchange through export.
First Bank has historically played a key role in financing different sectors of not just the Nigerian economy, but other economies in sub-Saharan Africa. As Nigeria further builds its non-oil sector, Agriculture, after several years of neglect, is now on the front burner.
In recognition of the federal government’s efforts at moving Agriculture to the next level, the bank’s determination to be an overall contributor to the growth of the sector cannot be overemphasized.
The bank, having a priority of being a continuous financier of creditworthy agro-allied businesses, has a team of dedicated agricultural professionals specializing in various fields of agriculture, and strategically positioned to identify and support agricultural enterprises covering the entire geographical regions of the country with a suite of sector/customer friendly agricultural financing solutions tailored towards the bank’s support of the sector.
FirstBank has a large base of existing commercial agribusiness clients across Nigeria who operate in all segments of the agricultural value chain covering primary production, storage, processing, packaging, and agro-export, etc.
A paradigm shift in the 2025 edition as the Expo was renamed “FirstBank Agric & Export Expo” This is to reflect the strategic direction of the economy.
The major focus of the Expo was on non-oil export as a driver of the economy.
The Expo included two discussion sessions: The Plenary session was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of strategies for advancing growth in agribusiness and non-oil exports. This session was led by policymakers and private sector leaders.
The Technical Session featured a panel of experts who explored strategies for repositioning agribusiness and non-oil exports as key drivers of economic growth.
