The United States Consul General, Mr John Bray, on Friday
called for the modernisation of the local economy particularly the agricultural
sector to meet Nigeria’s population growth and development.
Bray made the remark at the African Food and Products Exhibition
and Conference (AFPE) organised by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC)
in Lagos.
and Conference (AFPE) organised by the Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC)
in Lagos.
The theme of the conference is “Non-Oil Exports: Scaling Up
Productivity to Meet Global Demand”.
Productivity to Meet Global Demand”.
According to him, opportunities abound in all the 36 states in
the country to create more businesses in the agricultural sector to provide
jobs for more Nigerians.
the country to create more businesses in the agricultural sector to provide
jobs for more Nigerians.
“While there has been increased human development in Nigeria
over the past several years, huge inequalities still persist between men and
women in the country.
over the past several years, huge inequalities still persist between men and
women in the country.
“In many areas, particularly the agricultural sector, low
productivity and lack of investment as well as limited or absence of
infrastructure hold back economic development,” he said.
productivity and lack of investment as well as limited or absence of
infrastructure hold back economic development,” he said.
Bray, quoting a 2015 African Development Bank (AFDB)
report, said in the next 15 years, more than 370 million youths, including
those in Nigeria would enter Africa’s labour market.
report, said in the next 15 years, more than 370 million youths, including
those in Nigeria would enter Africa’s labour market.
“It is necessary for private enterprises working closely with
government institutions at all levels to create more jobs.
government institutions at all levels to create more jobs.
“The population growth combined with climate change will exert
increasing pressure on natural resources such as food, water and land.”
increasing pressure on natural resources such as food, water and land.”
Bray, represented by Jude Akhidenor, Regional Agricultural
Counselor in the Embassy, noted that developing and modernising the
agricultural sector should be a priority for the Nigerian Government, private
sectors and other stakeholders.
Counselor in the Embassy, noted that developing and modernising the
agricultural sector should be a priority for the Nigerian Government, private
sectors and other stakeholders.
“Because food is a necessity- everyone must eat; moreover, food
production, including processing and adding value is a good job and income
generating enterprise,” he said.
production, including processing and adding value is a good job and income
generating enterprise,” he said.
Hajia Aisha Abubakar, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade
and Investment, said the government was not oblivious of the potential of
agriculture and its benefits for the nation’s economy.
and Investment, said the government was not oblivious of the potential of
agriculture and its benefits for the nation’s economy.
She said: “In fact, this is why agriculture is one of six
sectors identified for growth in the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP).
sectors identified for growth in the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (ERGP).
“For us as a nation, agriculture should not be treated as just a
social sector intervention for managing poverty but more as a business for
creating wealth and empowering citizens.
social sector intervention for managing poverty but more as a business for
creating wealth and empowering citizens.
“It is the kind of business that can help many African nations,
including Nigeria, diversify revenue, reduce import dependency, create jobs and
develop rural areas.”
including Nigeria, diversify revenue, reduce import dependency, create jobs and
develop rural areas.”
According to the minister, to drive economic diversity and
productivity in the agricultural sector, government will embark on agricultural
industrialisation and implement innovative financing models that cater for the
needs of both low-income farmers and high-income processors.
productivity in the agricultural sector, government will embark on agricultural
industrialisation and implement innovative financing models that cater for the
needs of both low-income farmers and high-income processors.
Abubakar noted that economists believed that if Nigeria
maintained its export growth rate from the 1960s, its agriculture exports would
have been valued at ₦2 trillion (about
$6.6 billion) today.
maintained its export growth rate from the 1960s, its agriculture exports would
have been valued at ₦2 trillion (about
$6.6 billion) today.
She, however, said in 2017 Nigeria’s agriculture export was
valued at just over ₦170 billion ($470
million) – less than 9 per cent of its potential.
valued at just over ₦170 billion ($470
million) – less than 9 per cent of its potential.
“I am very keen about our agriculture export potential as we
have the opportunity to be the leading exporter of rice, maize, corn, shrimps
and cocoa which we have in abundant quantities.
have the opportunity to be the leading exporter of rice, maize, corn, shrimps
and cocoa which we have in abundant quantities.
“Coincidentally, these are some of the most valuable
agricultural products traded globally.
agricultural products traded globally.
“It is clear that we have these agricultural resources and we
need to work towards improving the quality and standards of our products not
just to match up to global standards but to surpass them,” she said.
need to work towards improving the quality and standards of our products not
just to match up to global standards but to surpass them,” she said.
Dr Waheed Olagunju, the Executive Director, Small and Medium
Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BoI), represented both the Minister and the
Managing Director of BoI, Mr Olukayode Pitan.
Enterprises, Bank of Industry (BoI), represented both the Minister and the
Managing Director of BoI, Mr Olukayode Pitan.
Chief Olabintan Famutimi, the President, Nigerian-American
Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber would continue to remind all stakeholders
of the need to promote and preserve MSMEs growth.
Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber would continue to remind all stakeholders
of the need to promote and preserve MSMEs growth.
“There is need to apply international best practices and other
relevant frameworks such as access to market, access to business funding,
export value chain process, and the full implementation of the African Growth
Opportunity Act (AGOA).
relevant frameworks such as access to market, access to business funding,
export value chain process, and the full implementation of the African Growth
Opportunity Act (AGOA).
