The Project Coordinator of the Nigeria International Agriculture Expo (NIAEXPO 2025), Mr. Abiodun Olaniyi, says the annual fair is not only a platform to showcase Nigeria’s agricultural potential but also to strengthen partnerships across the entire value chain.
Olaniyi, who is also the Executive Director of Agriquest Africa Network, stated this on Tuesday at the opening of the seventh edition of the expo in Abuja.
According to him, the event attracted participants from Indonesia, China, India, the United States, Canada, and several Nigerian states, including Lagos and Rivers.
He noted that this year’s edition highlighted innovations by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and international exhibitors who presented unique solutions such as organic farming practices, agroecology models, and locally assembled electric vehicles for agro-logistics.
“These are important steps toward solving challenges in the agricultural value chain,” he said.
Olaniyi stressed that the 2025 expo underscored Nigeria’s potential to achieve its 2030 agricultural vision through sustainable practices and inclusive participation. Hosting the event in Abuja, he explained, was strategic in order to attract policymakers and key stakeholders.
“I don’t believe in problems; I see challenges. For every challenge, there is a solution, and that solution can create business opportunities. With every edition, we learn, adjust and improve,” he added.
Olaniyi further said the inclusion of persons with disabilities in this year’s edition demonstrated the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity. He expressed optimism that the 2026 edition would broaden its scope and deliver greater impact across the sector.
Also speaking, Mr. Tony Ifeakandu, Managing Director of Autodex Nigeria Ltd., said his company showcased a locally assembled electric tricycle designed to provide affordable transport solutions for farmers.
He revealed that in November, the firm would host the Farm, Machinery, Food, Agro Technology Expo and Conference (FAMFATEC) to bring together stakeholders in agriculture, finance, and export.
“The event will feature AfriExim Bank and U.S. Exim Bank, who will discuss export financing and the challenges Nigerian products face in global markets,” he said.
Ifeakandu highlighted logistics as one of the biggest challenges in agriculture, noting that high transport costs directly impact food prices.
“If we can reduce the cost of moving farm produce to markets, we will reduce food prices. Our goal is to provide alternatives to what already exists in the marketplace,” he said.
On his part, Dr. Rohit Berry, Chairman of Contec Global Agro Limited (CGAL), said his company was promoting biological products to boost food security and reduce health risks linked to chemical-based farming.
Berry explained that chemical residues had denied many Nigerian agricultural products access to international markets. He disclosed that CGAL had developed 23 bio-products to combat crop diseases such as rice blight, tuta absoluta, armyworm, and black pod disease.
He added that the company had set up more than 250,000 demonstration farms across Nigeria, tested its products with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and secured NAFDAC registration.
Berry, whose firm has operated in Nigeria for over four decades, urged the Federal Government to support agro-initiatives capable of unlocking Nigeria’s vast arable land for sustainable food production.
In his remarks, the Minister of Livestock Development, Mr. Idi Maiha, reaffirmed government’s commitment to repositioning the livestock sector for global competitiveness.
Maiha, represented by Dr. Alike Peter, Director of Technical Services at the ministry, described agriculture as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, sustaining livelihoods, food security, and GDP growth.
He said the ministry had developed the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which harmonises existing livestock policies, including the National Livestock Transformation Plan and the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee report.
“The NL-GAS sets out 10 pillars with measurable indicators to grow the livestock sector from 32 billion dollars in 2025 to 74 billion dollars by 2035, driven by private sector investment and subnational government support,” he said.
Also, Dr. Mohammed Ishaq, Executive Director of the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, disclosed that the institute had developed new rice varieties for nationwide adoption.
He called on stakeholders to embrace licensing and collaboration, stressing that Nigeria’s rice production still lags behind demand despite government’s push for self-sufficiency.
“We must increase productivity and expand the adoption of improved seeds. NCRI is committed to driving that process,” Ishaq said.
