FirstBank CEO: Agriculture, exports critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification
Agriculture and exports remain critical to Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its economy and achieve sustainable economic growth, FirstBank Group Chief Executive Officer, Olusegun Alebiosu, has said. The post FirstBank CEO: Agriculture, exports critical to Nigeria’s economic diversification appeared first on Nairametrics .
FirstBank Group CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu, highlighted the importance of agriculture and exports to Nigeria's economic diversification during the Fifth FirstBank Agric & Export Expo 2026 in Lagos. The two-day event, themed "From Farm to Global Markets: Building Nigeria’s Export Value Chain," brought together industry stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges in the agricultural and non-oil export sectors.
Alebiosu emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to turn potential into tangible economic growth. The expo also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between FirstBank and NEXIM Bank, as well as Sapphital Limited, to enhance trade finance and support non-oil exports. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for improved agricultural value chains, investing in infrastructure and cold-chain logistics.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago stressed the need to increase domestic food production to reduce imports. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa discussed his state's progress in moving from primary production to processing, packaging, and exports. Brazil's Consul General in Lagos, Ronaldo Vieira, noted the importance of collaboration among various sectors in Brazil's agricultural development.
The expo identified low fertiliser use, limited irrigation, poor infrastructure, and inadequate financing as key constraints limiting agricultural productivity in Nigeria. Experts warned about low fertiliser application rates and insufficient production of cashew nuts, cocoa beans, and sesame seeds to meet export demands.
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