By Vivian Emoni
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), has identified technology, investment and value addition as critical to transforming Nigeria’s agriculture sector and improving its global competitiveness.
The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, said this on Thursday in Abuja at its maiden AGROMEQA Expo 2026, with the theme: “Technology and Investment for Agro-Expo.”
The expo, which was organised by ACCI’s Agricultural Trade Group in collaboration with JMT Plus Farms and Agro-Allied, aimed to promote mechanisation, innovation and export development.
Obegolu called for increased investment in agriculture technology and mechanisation to boost productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s agro-export capacity.
He urged governments, investors and other stakeholders to embrace agriculture technology and mechanisation to improve productivity and expand Nigeria’s export earnings.
According to him, agriculture remained central to Nigeria’s economic diversification, food security and sustainable development, adding that there was the need to adopt modern technologies and commercially-driven farming systems.
“Improved machinery, precision farming, irrigation and digital agricultural solutions will increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and lower production costs.
“Agricultural modernisation will create opportunities in agro-processing, packaging, storage and logistics, benefiting farmers, entrepreneurs and the wider Nigerian economy.
“Strengthening agricultural value chains through private investment, technology transfer and market linkages would expand non-oil exports and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in African and global markets,’ he said.
Obegolu said that Nigeria should prioritise value addition and ensure agricultural products met international standards for quality, safety, traceability, packaging and certification.
He said the two-day expo would showcase agriculture machinery, precision farming tools, irrigation systems, agro-processing technologies, packaging innovations and climate-smart solutions.
He further said that technical discussions, business-to-business engagements, investment forums and live demonstrations would provide opportunities for participants to explore practical solutions and establish strategic partnerships.
“Also, there will be Schools’ Agro Exhibition and Competition, which is important initiative for encouraging young people to embrace agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and technology,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government and FCT Administration, financial institutions, research organisations and development partners to collaborate in advancing agriculture modernisation and building resilient value chains.
He also called on government to provide supportive policies, infrastructure and regulations, while urging financial institutions to develop accessible financing for farmers, agritech enterprises and agro-processors.
The ACCI president urged research institutions to strengthen links between innovation and commercialisation, while encouraging private-sector operators to invest in productive capacity, technology and export development.
He commended the expo’s organisers, partners, exhibitors, sponsors and the media, expressing confidence that the expo would promote investment, technology adoption, business networking and agro-export development.
Mr Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, said Nigeria’s low level of agriculture mechanisation was undermining productivity, and advocated increased investment in technology, farm equipment and extension services.
Maiha said Nigeria had only three to seven tractors per 10,000 people, describing the situation as inadequate for a country with a growing population and rising food demand.
“Agricultural development requires an integrated approach covering modern machinery, scientific farming methods, improved animal husbandry and technology to increase productivity across the livestock value chain.
“Nigeria’s livestock sector contributed an estimated 32 billion dollars to the economy, with the Federal Government targeting growth to 74 billion dollars by 2035.
“Nigeria’s annual dairy import bill of 1.5 billion dollars presented investment opportunities in commercial dairy farms, milk collection centres, refrigeration and processing facilities,’’ he said.
The minister added that improved breeding, artificial insemination, animal health services and digital record-keeping could increase milk production, reduce losses and strengthen farmers’ incomes.
He said Nigeria could tap into red meat export markets valued at more than 3.2 trillion naira through investments in feedlots, modern abattoirs, meat processing and cold-chain infrastructure.
He said Lagos consumed about 2.9 million cattle annually, valued at 1.79 trillion naira in beef alone.
He, therefore, stressed the need for modern slaughterhouses, cold storage and refrigerated transportation to reduce reliance on transporting live animals over long distances.
Dr Olasetemi Thompson, Vice-President of the ACCI on Agriculture and Livestock, said the expo would connect farmers, investors, financiers and markets to promote agriculture mechanisation and value addition.
Thompson, also Chairman, JMT Plus Group of Companies, said that the expo would become an annual event that would promote agriculture development and quality exports across Africa. (NAN)
VOE/KUA
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Edited by Uche Anunne
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