Adejola Adeyemi Crown
Stakeholders at the 42nd Annual General Meeting and inauguration of the 21st President of the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, held in Sagamu on Thursday, declared that agribusiness remains Nigeria’s most viable path to economic diversification, urging greater investment in technology, innovation, value addition and youth participation.
The position formed the thrust of the annual lecture titled, “Agribusiness as the Next Frontier for Economic Diversification: Leveraging Innovation, Technology and Youth Entrepreneurship,” delivered by agribusiness expert, Dr. Afodu Osagie John.
Afodu said Nigeria could unlock enormous economic prosperity if farmers embraced technology and innovation to increase productivity, stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities for young people.
He said, “Agribusiness is the next frontier of economic prosperity if farmers can leverage technology and innovation to boost production, grow the economy and ensure youth development.”
The lecturer stressed that agriculture should no longer be left to farmers alone, noting that the sector has enormous opportunities capable of engaging millions of young Nigerians.
He also called for a shift from dependence on imported agricultural products to export-driven production, saying Nigeria must strengthen value addition across the agricultural value chain to guarantee food security and sustainable economic growth.
According to him, “The value addition to agriculture has been neglected, and this has contributed to food scarcity. Leveraging value addition will ensure food security.”
He further challenged the leadership of OGUNCCIMA to champion agribusiness development through trade missions, research collaborations and strategic engagements capable of repositioning agriculture as a profitable business venture.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Emmanuel Sofola, by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Deji Showunmi, the state government described agriculture as the next major driver of Nigeria’s economy.
Showunmi said the era of relying on crude oil revenues was fading, insisting that future prosperity would come through innovation, manufacturing, technology and value addition.
He said, “Agriculture must no longer be viewed merely as a source of crops and livestock. It must be seen as a complete value chain that influences packaging, logistics, storage, financing, marketing, export and industrial utilisation.”
Sofola added that under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Government would continue to deepen reforms, strengthen partnerships with the organised private sector, attract investments, promote industrialisation, empower entrepreneurs and create a resilient, diversified and globally competitive economy.
He said, “The future will not wait for those who hesitate to act. The next chapter of Nigeria’s economic story will not be written only in our oil fields. It will be written on our farms and in the determination of millions of young entrepreneurs who dare to build businesses capable of competing globally.”
He added that Ogun State was determined to become not only Nigeria’s industrial capital but also the agribusiness hub of West Africa through sustained investment in innovation, enterprise development and strategic partnerships.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, represented by the Director-General of NACCIMA, Mr. Sola Obadimu, urged businesses to take advantage of emerging opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He noted that Ogun State remained one of Nigeria’s leading industrial destinations, hosting over 5,000 manufacturing companies, six industrial clusters and three Free Trade Zones.
Ibrahim said, “Agribusiness offers enormous opportunities to boost food security, expand non-oil exports, stimulate industrial growth and create sustainable employment across the value chain.”
He pledged that NACCIMA would continue to advocate policies that improve the ease of doing business, strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, promote non-oil exports and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Earlier, the President of the Remo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and Host President, Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko, welcomed delegates to Sagamu, describing the town as one of Ogun State’s foremost commercial and industrial centres.
Ogundeko said the organised private sector remained critical to economic growth, innovation, wealth creation and employment generation.
He said, “As we deliberate on issues affecting our businesses and economy, let us renew our commitment to stronger partnerships, effective advocacy and policies that create a more enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”
He also encouraged delegates to explore investment opportunities across Remoland and Ogun State during the conference.
In his remarks, the President of Odua Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and member of the OGUNCCIMA Board of Directors, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye, urged the newly inaugurated executive members to remain selfless in service.
Olaleye described the chamber movement as a collective responsibility and assured the new leadership of ODUACCIMA’s support towards strengthening chamber activities across Ogun State.
He also performed the inauguration of the new executive council.
Accepting his election as the 21st President of OGUNCCIMA, Elder Solomon Olatunji Adeniyi pledged to build a stronger, more visible and influential chamber that would create greater value for members and serve as a trusted partner to government.
Adeniyi acknowledged the economic challenges confronting businesses, including rising operational costs, infrastructural deficits, policy inconsistencies and limited access to finance, but expressed optimism that the chamber would turn the challenges into opportunities.
He said, “My vision is simple, to build a Chamber that is stronger, more visible, more influential and more valuable to its members than ever before.”
He added, “We shall pay greater attention to our young entrepreneurs because the future of commerce, industry and innovation rests on their shoulders.”
The new president also promised increased support for women-owned businesses, stronger policy advocacy, deeper engagement with government and enhanced collaboration among the five city chambers to drive economic development across Ogun State.
The newly inaugurated executive council includes Otunba Wasiu Taiwo as First Deputy President, Pastor Ibrahim Bada as Second Deputy President, Mr Olusegun Bajegbo as First Vice President, Surveyor Olatunde Samuel Ayodele as Second Vice President, Omo’ba Abiola Ogundeko as Third Vice President and Mrs. Modupe Fadare as Treasurer.
Others include; Otunba A. Babs Adesanya as Deputy Treasurer, Chief Bola Onifade as Auditor, Mr. Rahmon Banjo as Financial Secretary, Prince Olasunkanni Akapo as NYE Coordinator, Mrs. Fausat Jaiyeola Akinbo as Women-in-Chamber Coordinator (Ogun State) and Mr. Akinola Lawson as BESTAC Chairman, who will serve alongside Adeniyi for the 2026 to 2028 tenure.
The event attracted members of the organised private sector, government officials, traditional rulers, development partners and captains of industry.
It also featured the conferment of Honorary Life Vice President awards on distinguished members of the chamber, including Chief Mrs. Gloria Shoda, Engr. Mike Akingbade and Elder Enilolobo, among others.
