PHOTOS: LAGOS, FMITI INAUGURATES NAADI OFFICE, TRAINS MSMES ON PRODUCTION FOR EXPORT
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The Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI) has its official state operating office inaugurated by the Lagos State Government in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment (FMITI).
According to Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade & Investment, opening the office given by the State Government was a prerequisite for the State-level domestication of NAADI.
During the two-day ceremony held from Monday, January 29, 2024, to Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at the NAADI, Lagos office, 3 Muyiwa Close, off Ajayi Road, Ogba, Ikeja, the Commissioner, represented by Mrs. Zulikha Ibraheem, Director of Cooperatives Services, stressed that the arrival of NAADI in Lagos represents a turning point in Nigeria’s progress towards economic diversification and sustainable development.
Her words, “This initiative, driven by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and aims to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a cornerstone of industrial and economic prosperity, rightly aligns with the Fourth Pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S. Development Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, which is Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy.”
The Commissioner also acknowledged Lagos State’s significant role in creating an environment conducive to the growth and innovation of the agribusiness sector, including investments in infrastructure, policy reforms, and capacity building.
“Lagos will use the platform of NAADI, with its broad scope that spans various agro-based and agro-allied industries, to diversify the state’s productive base, reduce import dependence, stimulate job creation, promote exports, and enhance the profitability of agribusiness and agro-industry investments. The programme targets a wide range of beneficiaries, from small producers to large-scale enterprises, she said.
The Commissioner emphasized how NAADI and the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) are in line, demonstrating the government’s dedication to converting agricultural potential into high-value industrial goods that will promote stability and growth in the economy.
She said that the project is positioned to modernize Nigeria’s and Lagos’ agricultural sectors and create a robust agribusiness ecosystem because it is modeled after UNIDO’s African Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (3ADI).
Speaking at the event as well, Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, expressed confidence in the successful implementation of NAADI in Lagos, citing Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s accomplishments in agricultural development. Ambassador Rimi was represented by Mr. Sadiq Ahmed, Assistant Director/Head of the Export Commodities Coordinating Committee, Lagos.
“The initiative aims to stimulate equity investment flows, diversify the agro-industrial base, reduce import dependency, support SMEs, and increase exports of value-added goods. The Lagos State office will coordinate stakeholder activities, provide leadership, and mobilise key players for the programme’s success. The Ministry promises to create an enabling environment, facilitate stakeholder linkages, and ensure NAADI’s sustainability”, he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s support for the NAADI office’s opening in Lagos was acknowledged by Ambassador Rimi, who also commended the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment for organizing the event. The State Government will be in charge of running the recently established office on a daily basis.
Furthermore, numerous MSME operators received training during the ceremony on a variety of topics, including How to Prepare a Bankable Business Proposal or Plan by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Funding Windows for Export in Nigeria by NEXIM Bank, Quality Assurance Requirements for Export by the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), and Export Procedures and Documentation by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC).
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