LAGOS, FMITI INAUGURATE NAADI OFFICE
…Train MSMES On Production For Export
Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment (FMITI), has officially opened the State operation office of the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI).
Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade & Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem stated that the opening of the office provided by the State Government was part of the requirement for the domestication of NAADI at the State level.
Represented by Director of Cooperatives Services, Mrs. Zulikha Ibraheem during the two-day ceremony held from Monday 29th to Tuesday 30th January, 2024 at the NAADI, Lagos office, 3 Muyiwa Close, off Ajayi Road, Ogba, Ikeja, the Commissioner emphasised that the coming of NAADI to Lagos marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey 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 highlighted the alignment of NAADI with the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), reflecting the government’s commitment to turning agricultural potential into high-value industrial products, thus driving economic stability and growth.
She noted that the initiative, drawing inspiration from UNIDO’s African Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (3ADI), is poised to modernise Nigeria and Lagos’ agricultural sector and establish a thriving agribusiness ecosystem.
Also speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Rimi, represented by Assistant Director/Head, Export Commodities Coordinating Committee, Lagos, Mr. Sadiq Ahmed, expressed confidence in the successful implementation of NAADI in Lagos, given Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s achievements in agricultural development.
“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.
Ambassador Rimi thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for endorsing the establishment of the NAADI office in Lagos and acknowledged the efforts of the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment in organising the event. The responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the newly inaugurated office will reside with the State Government.
As part of the ceremony, many MSME operators were trained on Export Procedures and Documentation by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Quality Assurance Requirements for Export by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Funding Windows for Export in Nigeria by NEXIM Bank and How To Prepare Bankable Business Proposal/Plan by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), among others.