Sanwo-Olu, Bago, Kyari say competitive agric exports will improve foreign reserves
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said Nigeria can grow its foreign reserves by exporting agricultural produce that meets international standards and by investing heavily in the sector.
Speaking at the First Bank 2025 Agric and Export Expo held at Eko Hotels on Tuesday, Kyari, represented by Engineer Ibrahim Aikali, noted that agriculture remains the key sector to drive non-oil exports. He stressed the need for strong infrastructure to make the sector competitive.
“Infrastructure is not just about roads and ports but about building efficiency into every step of the supply chain. Volumes without quality will fail. Every tonne of cocoa must be internationally certified, traceable, and supported by stronger laboratories, a functional certification system, and farmer training,” Kyari said.
He added that Nigeria must avoid costly export rejections by ensuring quality control, effective storage systems, efficient ports, and credible certification processes. “If we want to build a non-oil export economy, these are not rhetoric, they are fundamental,” he stated.
The minister further explained that President Bola Tinubu’s economic roadmap highlights reforms in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, diversification, and governance. “Our currency is only as strong as our exports’ backing. Export earnings build reserves, reduce inflationary pressure, and stabilize the exchange rate,” he said.
In his goodwill message, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stressed the need for Nigeria to broaden its economic base by reducing dependence on oil and embracing agriculture as a revenue generator.
Sanwo-Olu commended President Tinubu’s efforts to boost agricultural exports but admitted that the volume exported remains below expectations. He pledged his administration’s support through better rural roads, digital trade platforms, and strategic partnerships for farmers.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, also pledged support, announcing that his state would provide Lagos with 100,000 acres of land for farming as part of efforts to improve collaboration in the agricultural sector.
