Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has pledged a stronger partnership with stakeholders to boost innovation, mechanisation, and investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector through the 2025 Farm, Food and Allied Technology (FARMFATECH) Expo.
ACCI President, Emeka Obegolu, made the pledge on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the second edition of the expo themed “Agricultural Transformation: Achieving Food Security through Innovative Technologies.”
Obegolu said the event, organised in collaboration with Autodex Nigeria Ltd. and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was designed to promote technology-driven solutions across the agricultural value chain.
He revealed that the 2025 edition features over 500 exhibitors from 76 countries and attracted about 500,000 visitors, describing it not just as an exhibition but as “a movement aimed at achieving food sufficiency and sovereignty in Nigeria.”
“FARMFATECH represents our collective commitment to reposition agriculture as the bedrock of national development.
It bridges the gap between policy and practice, and between local potential and global opportunity,” Obegolu stated.
He noted that while agriculture remains a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy, contributing significantly to employment and GDP, it still operates below its full potential.
Obegolu emphasised the need for greater adoption of mechanised and digital farming, adding that technology had become “the new tractor driving growth, efficiency, and competitiveness.”
“As we open this year’s expo, let us reaffirm our resolve to make food production a national priority.
A food-secure nation is a stable nation; one that feeds itself earns dignity and sovereignty,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described the expo’s theme as apt and timely, given government’s renewed focus on productivity and food sufficiency.
Represented by Abubakar Musa, Director at the Federal Food and Drug Authority, Fashedemi said the ministry is implementing the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) to strengthen digitalisation, innovation, and technology in agriculture and agribusiness.
According to him, the Federal Government has recapitalised the Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 trillion (about one billion dollars) to enhance farmers’ access to credit and financial services.
“Efforts are also ongoing to strengthen the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation to de-risk agricultural investments and provide insurance cover to farmers,” he added.
He said the ministry was expanding partnerships with development agencies, multilateral institutions, and bilateral partners to mobilise funding, promote agricultural trade, and facilitate technology exchange.
“With the continued commitment of all stakeholders, this expo will strengthen awareness and stimulate greater action toward transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector,” Fashedemi said.
Also speaking, Mr Alain Mbongue, representing the President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dr George Elombe, said agriculture remains central to Africa’s development, contributing to food security, job creation, and industrialisation.
Mbongue noted that the bank’s strategic plan focuses on industrialisation and export development to reduce reliance on raw commodities and promote value addition across the continent.
The Chairman of the FarmFaTech Expo Planning Committee, Mr Tony Ejinkeoye, called for stronger collaboration among farmers, innovators, financiers, and policymakers to accelerate agricultural transformation.
He said the expo is poised to become a major annual agri-technology fair on the African calendar, marking a step toward a more sustainable and technology-driven agricultural future for Nigeria.
Similarly, Dr Nnamdi Ezeanyim, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Autodex Nigeria Ltd., said the company is committed to reducing import dependence, creating jobs, and empowering Nigerian engineers through innovation and local production.
