*Nigeria must no longer live at the mercy of oil marketers – Sen. Abubakar Kyari
*Sanwo-Olu calls for more financing in the agriculture sector
WorlStage Newsonline– First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., has applauded the Federal Government’s efforts in boosting Nigeria’s agriculture agenda for food sovereignty.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Ltd., Mr Olusegun Alebiosu at the bank’s 2025 Agric & Export Expo on Tuesday in Lagos commended the Federal Government drive in achieving food sovereignty and vowed the bank’s continued commitment in fostering the growth Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
FirstBank 2025 Agric & Export Expo with the theme: “The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy,” is aimed at boosting non-oil exports.
Alebiosu said “It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the 2025 edition of the FirstBank Agric & Export Expo.
“Over the years, this gathering has grown into a defining platform, a testament to FirstBank’s unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic priorities.
“The 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,’’ he said.
Alebiosu noted that agriculture that was once overlooked was gaining a significant place in the heart of Nigeria’s national development agenda.
“We commend the Federal Government’s commitment to elevating the sector and reaffirm our role as a steadfast partner in this journey.
“This year’s theme: The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy, could not be timelier.
“As a nation, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our economic journey, one that demands bold diversification beyond oil and the harnessing of the vast opportunities in our non-oil sectors,” Alebiosu said.
He described the expo as a beacon for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.
“Our history is deeply connected to agriculture and non-oil sectors.
“For more than a century, we have played a defining role in financing industries that are vital not only to Nigeria’s economic progress, but also to the development of sub-Saharan Africa.
“Our portfolio spans the full spectrum of agribusiness, from primary production to processing and export.
“Across the country, our dedicated teams deliver sector-focused, client-friendly financial solutions tailored to the distinct needs of agricultural and solid minerals enterprises.
“This is ensuring that they have the resources to thrive and compete on a global scale,” Alebiosu said.
On his part, The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by his Special Adviser, Mr Ibrahim Alkali, commended the Bank’s committed 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,” Kyari said.
In his goodwill message, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the bank while calling for more financing in the agriculture sector.
“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,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Also, the Governor of Niger State, Mr Mohammed Bago, commended the bank for tapping into President Tinubu’s Transformation Agenda in the agriculture sector.
“People must be able to feed themselves, and President Tinubu has made this a fundamental principle in this government, so we have scaled in.
“So, 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,” Bago said.
Present at the expo were exhibitors across the various agriculture value chains as well as farmers’ associations.
