The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating international rejection of Nigerian agricultural exports, pledging stricter standards and better financing for agribusiness.
Speaking at the First Bank Agric and Export Conference in Lagos, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria must end the embarrassment of its products being turned back at foreign borders. "Every commodity must be certified, traceable, and meet global standards," he said, stressing the need for stronger labs, effective certification systems, and farmer training.
Kyari lamented that Nigeria, despite being a top cocoa grower, earns less than $400m from value-added cocoa exports compared to Ghana's $2bn from cocoa and Vietnam's $4bn from coffee.
Read also:
FirstBank's Group MD, Segun Alebiosu, said the bank remains committed to financing farmers and exporters, but the minister warned that without improved infrastructure and logistics, financing alone cannot drive export growth.
Also speaking, Trade Minister Jumoke Oduwole, represented by NEPC MD Nonye Ayeni, called for the speedy activation of the National Single Window to cut export bottlenecks.
Stakeholders, including Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressed youth and women's inclusion in agribusiness as vital for Nigeria's non-oil export future.
