FirstBank Agric & Export Expo: Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Bago, Industry Leaders Chart Path For Non-Oil Tradeย
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At the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, FirstBank brought together an influential mix of policymakers, industry leaders, and business executives for its inaugural Agric & Export Expo โ a bold platform designed to accelerate Nigeriaโs transition from oil dependency to sustainable non-oil trade.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Niger State Governor Umaru Bago headlined the gathering, lending weight to conversations around unlocking the vast potential of Nigeriaโs agricultural value chain and scaling export opportunities.
The Expo, themed around driving inclusive growth, placed agriculture at the heart of economic diversification. Stakeholders explored strategies to boost productivity, strengthen global competitiveness, and attract investment into agro-processing and export infrastructure.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized Lagosโ role as Nigeriaโs trade hub and called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to harness the stateโs comparative advantage. Governor Bago, on his part, spotlighted Nigerโs expansive arable land as a frontier for agribusiness investment, urging stakeholders to channel resources into commercial farming and value addition.
Industry captains echoed the urgency of building a resilient non-oil export economy, stressing innovation, financing, and international market access as game-changers. FirstBank reaffirmed its commitment to financing agribusinesses and empowering exporters with tailored financial solutions to compete globally.
The Expo not only served as a marketplace of ideas but also as a rallying call: Nigeriaโs economic future lies beyond oil โ and the path forward is anchored on agriculture, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
But the message was unmistakable: beyond oil lies the true power of a nationโs fields and factories. Agriculture is not just Nigeriaโs backboneโit is the passport propelling the country into the heart of global trade.
