FirstBank, tapping into food security agenda of Federal Government embarks on 2025 Agric Export-Driven Expo
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By allcitynews.blog
In apparent bid to achieve and sustain feeding of global communities, beginning from Nigeria, participants called for removal of challenges facing agriculture, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
The participants who commended FirstBank for organising the programme, which took place on Tuesday 19 August 2025, in Eko Hotel, Lagos, stressed that challenges like flooding, banditry, after harvest wastages and inability to get produces to the targeted consumers should also be dealt with.
The event, meant to carve out ways by which Nigerians should not only be self-reliance or self-sufficient in farm produces was also meant to make Nigeria become exporter of agricultural products to global markets.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank, Olusegun Alebiosu, pointed out "As a nation, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in economic journey, one that demands good diversification beyond oil and the harnessing of the vast opportunities in our non oil sectors, that the fundamentals of building an export driven economy could not be more timely, gave birth to the exhibition."
According to Alebiosu,"The FirstBank Agric and Export Conference is a strategic platform for stakeholders to converge, share knowledge, and drive strategies that can unlock the full potential of Nigeria's agricultural sector and non-oil export industry. Through this platform, FirstBank is empowering customers and stakeholders by providing them with actionable insights, innovative solutions, and valuable connections that can help them navigate the complexities of the agricultural and nonoil export sectors. In addition, we aim to deliver tangible benefits to our customers, enhance their business prospects, and create lasting value for our stakeholders, while contributing to the growth and development of Nigeria's economy.”
Furthermore, the bank’s herdsman noted that the theme, "the Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy, is aimed at boosting non-oil exports through x-raying the fundamentals of building an export driven economy. As we all know, First Bank is a clear leader in the banking industry. The history of Nigeria has first bank boldly written in it.
"This expo reflects our shared vision for a stronger, more resilient economy, one anchored on food security, agribusiness, solid minerals, and most critically, the expansion of non-oil exports."
Alebiosu commended the federal government drive in achieving food sovereignty and vowed the bank’s continued commitment in fostering the growth Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
The programme brought together captains of the industry including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari.
In his keynote address, Kyari who was represented by his Special Adviser, Mr Ibrahim Alkali, commended the Bank’s commitment in the agriculture sector.
“The fundamentals of building non-oil export driven economy, is not merely an intellectual discussion, it is a survival strategy for our nation.
“Nigeria must no longer live at the mercy of oil marketers, but on the strength of productivity, our creativity and our resilience.
“FirstBank has long has been a pioneer in agricultural financing.
“Its agricultural portfolio has grown by N11.6 billion in recent years, supporting farmer’s processors and exporters.
“Through the commercial agriculture credit scheme, FirstBank has financed more enterprises than any other bank, accounting for over 23 per cent of all participation with dedicated agricultural finance teams."
Reiterating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's regime goal of food security, Bago noted that “There is a need for us to tell our stories ourselves. On behalf of the Government of people of Niger State, I thank FirstBank for this exhibition."
And on his part, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the bank and called for more financing in the agriculture sector.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, “We must move away from our dependence and build a resilient economy that is anchored on productivity, value addition and competitiveness in the non-oil sector.
“For over 130 years, FirstBank has stood as a part of Nigeria’s economic story by promoting exports.
“You are not only reaffirming your commitments and culture, but you are also signaling to farmers, to processors, to exporters, that you have a reliable partner in building a truly export driven economy.
“For this, I commend the Managing Director and the management at FirstBank for its leadership role for promoting agro-exports.
“We have to aggressively position agricultural product, we must ensure that we are competitive. We must secure our market share, and we must drive investment into the agro businesses."
Likewise, the Governor of Niger, Mr Mohammed Bago, commended the bank for tapping into President Tinubu’s Transformation Agenda in the agriculture sector.
Participants in the panel of discussants, in unanimous decision noted that there is need for more funding and called on Bank of Industry (BoI) and Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to assist farmers and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by reviewing their interest rate downwards
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