Lagos hosted the fifth FirstBank Agric and Export Expo on 16 and 17 September 2026 at the Eko Convention Centre, under the theme "From Farm to Global Markets: Building Nigeria's Export Value Chain." Blueprint reported that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, was billed as keynote speaker, with Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger and Monday Okpebholo of Edo as special guests.
The Bank's Pitch
FirstBank used the event to position agriculture at the centre of economic diversification. "At FirstBank, we recognise that agriculture and exports remain critical to Nigeria's economic diversification agenda," Olusegun Alebiosu, the bank's Chief Executive Officer, said, as Nairametrics reported.
The bank signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian Export-Import Bank and Sapphital Limited to expand trade finance and support non-oil exports.
What the Governors Brought
Sanwo-Olu pointed to the Imota Rice Mill in Lagos, which he said produces 500,000 bags of rice a year, as an example of the processing capacity needed for efficient value chains. Aiyedatiwa said Ondo is distributing more than two million cocoa seedlings to farmers. Bago called for stronger domestic production and more investment in agriculture, according to Nairametrics.
The Gaps the Expo Highlighted
Figures presented at the event showed how much ground Nigerian agriculture has to cover before it can compete abroad. Post-harvest losses were put at 40% to 50%, and only about 2% of agricultural loans were said to reach farms directly, according to Nairametrics. Nigeria's annual soybean output was put at 1 million to 1.3 million tonnes.
Losing up to half of what is harvested before it reaches a buyer is as much a domestic food price problem as an export one. Produce that rots between farm and market is produce that never reaches Lagos stalls.
Why It Matters for Food Prices
Better processing, storage and trade finance can raise export earnings and reduce the waste that pushes up local prices. The test is whether financing agreements like the NEXIM deal reach farmers and processors rather than staying at the level of large exporters.
FoodPrices Nigeria will watch whether investment in processing capacity such as the Imota Rice Mill translates into steadier supply and prices in the Lagos markets it tracks.
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