Susan Abayomi
As Nigeria continues its push to diversify the economy beyond oil, attention is increasingly turning to agriculture and non-oil exports as important drivers of economic growth, employment, food security and foreign exchange earnings.
Against this backdrop, FirstBank Nigeria is set to host the fifth edition of its Agric and Export Expo on September 16 and 17, 2026, bringing together key players across Nigeria’s agricultural and export value chains.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme, “From Farm to Global Markets: Building Nigeria’s Export Value Chain.” The two-day hybrid event is designed to move discussions beyond awareness towards practical solutions, business connections and measurable opportunities for participants.
A Platform for Business Growth
The Expo is expected to attract policymakers, regulators, agribusiness owners, exporters, investors and development partners, creating an avenue for stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore opportunities within the sector.
According to FirstBank, discussions will focus on areas including agricultural financing, export opportunities, value addition, market access, technology and policies capable of helping Nigerian businesses compete in international markets.
For farmers and agribusiness owners, the event provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of financing options and developments across the agricultural value chain.
Exporters and businesses seeking to expand beyond the Nigerian market can also benefit from discussions around international markets, trade and the processes required to build competitive export-oriented businesses.
High-Level Speakers and Industry Experts
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event, where he will share perspectives on improving agricultural productivity and strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.
The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, is also expected to deliver a goodwill message.
Other industry leaders expected to participate include Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Managing Director/CEO of Sunbeth Global Concepts Limited; Taiwo Ayoade, Deputy Managing Director of Agro Traders Limited and Plantation Industries Limited; Sunil Kumar Chauhan, Managing Director/CEO of Dangote Fertiliser Limited; Ayodele Abioye, Managing Director/CEO of BUA Foods Plc; Dr. Agboola Zubayr Belgore of Amo Byng Nigeria Limited; and Amit Bose, Chief Financial Officer of Valency Agro Nigeria.
From Agriculture to Global Markets
A major focus of the 2026 Expo is the need to strengthen the connection between production and international markets.
This means looking beyond primary agricultural production to areas such as processing, packaging, logistics, financing and other stages that can increase the value of Nigerian agricultural products before they reach consumers at home and abroad.
The event will feature both a plenary session involving policymakers and private-sector leaders and a technical session focused on practical strategies for strengthening agribusiness and non-oil exports.
Why the Expo Matters
Now in its fifth edition, the FirstBank Agric and Export Expo has developed into a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing within Nigeria’s agriculture and export ecosystem.
FirstBank said the initiative was launched to stimulate discussions and action around building a sustainable agricultural value chain and developing non-oil exports as an alternative source of economic growth and foreign exchange.
For farmers, processors, exporters, agritech businesses, distributors, manufacturers and investors, the 2026 edition offers an opportunity to learn from sector experts, identify potential partnerships and gain insights that could support business expansion.
With Nigeria seeking to strengthen its non-oil economy, the discussions at the Expo could also contribute to broader conversations around how the country can increase agricultural productivity, improve value addition and position locally produced goods for international markets.
The FirstBank Agric and Export Expo 2026 will take place on September 16 and 17, 2026, with participation available online.
