General News
HarvestPlus, Dominican Centre Partner on Empowerment of Agripreneurs
At a recent empowerment seminar organized by the Dominican Centre for Human Resources Development (DCHRD) to train potential investors in agricultural business, stakeholders came to a conclusion that agriculture remains the bastion of Nigeria’s economy.
Agriculture currently contributes 47 percent to the rebased gross domestic product (GDP) and employs close to 70 percent of our total population.
It accounts for 10 percent of our export earnings. Nigeria’s foreign direct investment (FDI) stands at $6.1 billion and her GDP keeps growing at 7.7 percent, thus making the country one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
One of the key messages to the over 150 enthusiastic participants at the seminar was that Nigeria’s future rests squarely on agriculture and those who undertake to invest in it.
The speakers dissected the agricultural sector and proffered solutions.
HarvestPlus Nigeria, in line with its objectives of promoting biofortified staple crops and foods to tackle hidden hunger, malnutrition and poverty as well as empowerment of Nigerians with requisite skills in Vitamin A cassava production, value addition and marketing, partnered the Dominican Centre to organize the three-day empowerment seminar/training for members of the church.
A statement by Abayomi Awelewa, communication officer, HarvestPlus Nigeria, disclosed that the seminar held at St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, between Friday, and Sunday, January 16 – 18, 2015, DCHRD, the arm of St Dominic Catholic Church responsible for grooming investors in Agricultural business, tagged the three-day session as ‘Wealth creation through agriculture.’
Declaring the seminar/training open, Fr. Fortunatus Okeke, director, DCHRD, welcomed the participants to a new era in the history of Nigeria and urged them to utilize the opportunities presented by the training to empower themselves economically.
“The seminar is conceived to make a statement that despite the fact that Lagos doesn’t have much land space for agriculture, the state can become a hub for other opportunities in the agricultural value chain. Some of these opportunities include: job creation, poverty reduction, capacity building, and helping individual and corporations in creating profitable and successful businesses.”
Okeke further said that agriculture remains one of the most viable alternatives to oil and agricultural investors are the ones Government looks up to in helping to solve the problems of hunger, unemployment and dwindling fortune of the economy.
He urged the participants to learn from the practical experiences of the professionals from HarvestPlus Nigeria, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), The Dominican Centre, and the special guest of honour, Chief Audu Ogbeh, CEO, Efugo Farms, Makurdi, among others, who were at the training to inspire the investors.
Delivering the keynote address, Paul Ilona, HarvestPlus country manager, described agriculture as an orphan sector because of years of neglect by relevant stakeholders. “Nigeria used to be the powerhouse of agriculture in the world; one of the biggest exporters of palm oil, groundnut and cocoa, among other crops. Agriculture benefitted most institutions in Nigeria and created jobs. But the story is no longer the same. The country has gradually become a net food importer,” Ilona said.
He lauded ongoing effort by Government, institutions and individuals to revive the sector and urged a sustainable programme of action to ensure a speedy recovery of our lost years of agricultural glory.
“Food has no substitute because man just has to eat; and agriculture is the only means through which food is produced. The advanced countries like the United States of America, the Netherland, Australia, etc, began their journey to economic greatness with agriculture. In our country where the per capita income is a little above one dollar and over 100 million Nigerians live below a dollar per day, we have no choice but to turn towards agriculture as the only way out of poverty and economic doom,” Ilona further said.
HarvestPlus country manager also advised the participants to cease seeing agriculture as a social set up but to regard it as a business and run it applying all known business principles so as to sustain their profit and remain in business for long.
He encouraged them to educate themselves in agricultural business and identify the appropriate agricultural value chain they would like to invest in before making the decision to become farmers.
In his lecture entitled “Making agriculture a realistic enterprise in Nigeria,” Chief Audu Ogbeh, said agriculture, as a business, must be protected against foreign competition. Crops like cassava, tomatoes, rice, cotton, maize, and cocoa as well as fish have been identified by the government as those for which local and global demands keep increasing. Investing in growing these agricultural produce will go a long way to enhance the country’s economy and empower the farmers to eradicate poverty and eliminate hunger.
To achieve good and sustainable result, Ogbeh opined, Nigerian farmers need Government’s help through sound economic policies and technical support.
“This will enable them to compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world and earn good profit from their investment. Our Government must be firm in their policy and decision making and must ensure that whatever we can produce, we do not import, Ogbeh said.
He lauded the participants for choosing to invest in agriculture, urging them to see one another as members of the same community with similar interests.
He promised to continue to collaborate with the Dominican Centre and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the farmers’ dreams of successful agricultural businesses become a reality.
The training segment of the empowerment seminar focused on three key agricultural enterprises, which are: fingerling production, plantain/banana multiplication, and use of agro-chemicals in modern agriculture.
Other topics addressed by experts during the three days include: “Wealth creation through Agriculture,” “Best bet practices in cassava value chain,” “Strategic investments in the agricultural sector in Nigeria,” “Funding the SME: Hope for investors,” “Wealth creation through the cassava value chain,” “Youth empowerment through agriculture: Viable option for economic development,” “Economic politics of western Europe: Implications on Nigeria’s economy,” ”Leveraging on digital marketing in agro-business,” “Proper record-keeping, financial discipline and auditing in SME,” among others.
The seminar concluded by creating a new farmer’s cooperatives which, the organizers believe, will operate a shareholding system like public liability companies (PLCs) to guarantee success. The participants were further broken into syndicate groups for effective coordination.
“Unlike similar training seminars across Nigeria, the Dominican Centre and its strategic partners like the HarvestPlus, IITA, Chief Audu Ogbeh, etc, are being pro-active in the drive to ensure a sustainable economic development driven by agriculture. We are committed to the process and we’ll organize more of this seminar in various parts of the country beginning from this year,” Fr. Okeke said.
Exhibition of various farm produce and Vitamin A cassava food products was held within the premises of St Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, throughout the duration of the empowerment seminar.
HarvestPlus leads a global effort to improve nutrition and public health by developing and deploying staple food crops that are rich in vitamins and minerals.
It works with diverse partners in more than 40 countries. HarvestPlus is part of the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).
CGIAR is a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Its science is carried out by its 15 research centers in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations.
The HarvestPlus program is coordinated by two of these centers, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
Abba Aliyu, the Chief Executive Officer, Rural Electrification Agency (REA), says the agency has provided electricity access to about eight million Nigerians out of the 90 million people said to be without electricity supply.
He stated that the electricity provision was made under the Nigeria Electrification Project in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to close the energy deficit gap. He added that the agency planned to ensure that many more Nigerian benefit from the scheme in 2025.
Aliyu said: “There are reports that many Nigerians don’t have access to electricity. But under the Nigeria Electrification Project, we have provided electricity to eight million Nigerians. We also have a programme that is targeting 17.5 million people. So, in three years 17.5 million people will also be out of darkness.
“We are currently working on deploying 42 interconnected mini-grids, and six have already been completed in Osun, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger State. “We are moving away from the traditional concept of government issuing contracts. What we are doing is incentivising the private sector to deploy infrastructure.
This ensures sustainability because they have their own money at stake.” He added: “It is a myth to continuously think that government infrastructure is deployed and not working. The projects we are deploying, more especially those under the private sector, are working.
“Part of the discussion during the President’s visit to Japan was a $190m co-financing agreement with JICA for the distributed access programme. That will provide electricity to an additional 1.83 million Nigerians.
“Before this administration, the country only had 120 megawatts of solar assembly capacity. Today, we have over 600 megawatts, and with new projects signed, Nigeria will soon hit close to three gigawatts. This shows that dependence on imported panels is being reversed.”
Exhibitors at the recently concluded Fidelity Nigeria International Trade & Creative Connect (FNITCC) in Atlanta, Georgia have lauded the event as a transformative platform for showcasing Nigerian non-oil exports and businesses on the global stage.
Hosted by Fidelity Bank Plc in collaboration with AFRICON from September 18 to 20, 2025, FNITCC brought together innovative, export-ready Nigerian enterprises across diverse sectors—including fashion, arts, manufacturing, and technology—creating a vibrant space for commerce, connection, and cultural celebration.
Praised for its energy and flawless execution, FNITCC Atlanta 2025 marked a significant leap forward from previous editions. With increased attendance, enhanced booth setups, and deeper engagement, participants described the experience as “a clear step up” and “more impactful than ever.”
“It was an honor to exhibit among such a vibrant community of creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural ambassadors. We left FNITCC 2025 with new customers, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. Well done to Fidelity Bank for championing Nigerian businesses and bridging global markets,” shared the By Nuga Designs team.
Exhibitors also highlighted the power of community and resilience, recounting moments of spontaneous international deals and heartfelt support.
“Last year, I was devastated when our goods didn’t arrive on time,” one exhibitor recalled. “But this year, even in my absence, my fellow AWE sisters stepped in. A surprise visit from a buyer led to an impromptu video-call deal that changed everything. FNITCC reminded me that connections often matter more than sales.”
Gratitude flowed freely for the Fidelity Bank team and the behind-the-scenes contributors who ensured the event’s success.
“On behalf of FSGF AFRICA LTD, I extend our deepest gratitude to Fidelity Bank for hosting such a wonderful event,” said another exhibitor. “To the Fidelity team—your warmth, professionalism, and commitment made this experience truly remarkable.”
FNITCC 2025 also celebrated Nigerian excellence and the rising influence of women-led businesses.
“Wow! Sisters online, making the impossible possible! This is the Africa we want. Nigerians are believing in Made-in-Nigeria products—and that belief is powerful,” shared one emotionally moved participant.
“Fidelity is carving out a big slice in Nigeria’s story of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship—and doing it with focus,” added another.
Reflecting on the vision behind FNITCC, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director and CEO of Fidelity Bank Plc, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to expanding Nigeria-U.S. trade beyond oil. She noted that while Nigeria’s non-oil exports currently stand at under $5 billion annually, the potential is immense. “At Fidelity Bank, we believe access to global markets is a pathway to shared prosperity. That belief inspired the creation of FNITCC,” she said.
FNITCC 2025 demonstrated that when Nigerian innovation meets global opportunity, extraordinary outcomes follow. As Fidelity Bank continues to invest in platforms that amplify local talent and drive cross-border growth, the future of Nigerian enterprise shines brighter than ever.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
BlackHouse Media (BHM) in partnership with Allison Worldwide, and The King’s Trust Group has announced the stellar line-up of speakers for the second edition of the exclusive Africa Breakfast Conversations (ABC), taking place on Friday, 26 September 2025 at the World Trade Center, New York, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80).
Headlining the event is an exclusive fireside chat featuring one of Africa’s most influential business leaders, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede — Chairman of Access Bank, CEO of Coronation Group, and a member of The King’s Trust Africa Advisory Board. Aig-Imoukhuede, one of Africa’s most respected bankers and investors, and his session will focus on Africa’s Investment Landscape, exploring high-impact investment opportunities, bridging African entrepreneurs to global capital, and unlocking Africa’s youth as an investment engine.
Under the theme “African Innovation: Building Together for Sustainable Development,” this high-level gathering will unite influential voices from business, government, technology, media, and philanthropy to explore how African-led innovation and cross-sector partnerships can fast-track progress toward the UN SDGs.
The 2025 edition features high-level conversations, including a panel titled, Generation Potential — Powering Africa’s Youth Through Nutrition, Skills, Access & Opportunity. This panel session will feature bold conversation on fueling Africa’s future through nutrition, education, and opportunity and will feature the following panelists:
- Wawira Njiru, Founder & CEO, Food4Education; delivering 500,000+ daily subsidised school meals in Kenya while building local supply chains and creating jobs for youths and women.
- Geoffrey Kasangaki, CEO, Asante Africa Foundation; equipping 800,000+ rural youth with life skills, leadership training, and job readiness training to accelerate classroom learning and develop future leaders, confident job seekers and innovative entrepreneurs.
- Abeiku Greene, Outgoing Executive Director, Junior Achievement Ghana; preparing over 200,000 youth for the future of work through financial literacy and entrepreneurship education.
- Ben Ovio, Chief Responsibility Executive, ENDIP International, advancing education, youth enterprise development, technical vocational skills training, and community empowerment to create sustainable impact across West and East Africa.
The panel will be moderated by Claudine Moore, Managing Director, Africa, Allison Worldwide and one of ABC’s hosts.
Panel two will focus on Africa’s Role in the Future of Technology, Media, AI & Finance, exploring how Africa’s tech and creative ecosystems are shaping global influence. This will be led by leading industry experts and business leaders including:
- Iyin Aboyeji, Founding Partner, Future Africa; co-founder of Flutterwave and Andela, catalysing Africa’s tech start-up economy.
- Ayeni Adekunle, Founder & CEO, BHM; redefining modern PR and brand storytelling across Africa’s creative industries.
- Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director, News Central TV; building one of Africa’s fastest-growing pan-African news platforms.
- Cuppy, DJ, Philanthropist & King’s Trust Global Ambassador; championing youth empowerment and education through her global platform.
- Sonny Irosche, Senior Academic Advisor, African Studies Centre, Oxford University & AI for Business, Said Business School, providing strategic insights on AI adoption and governance in Africa.
This panel will be moderated by Wendu Nwakanma, Vice President, Northeast Regional Business Development Lead, Goldman Sachs.
The event will also feature the launch of the Second Edition of the Africa Business Cultural Intelligence Report by Allison Africa, offering actionable insights for global and pan-African businesses operating in five high-potential economies including Ghana, Rwanda, Egypt, Angola, and Côte d’Ivoire.
“Africa’s growth story is real and the Africa Breakfast Conversations is fast becoming the go-to platform for authentic cross-sector collaboration around Africa’s development”- Claudine Moore, Managing Director, Africa at Allison Worldwide. “From youthful innovators to tech disruptors and global investors, the event will spark the bold ideas, partnerships, and investments that will power Africa’s next decade of growth.”
Launched in 2024 by Allison Worldwide and BHM in partnership, Africa Breakfast Conversations was created to foster meaningful dialogue between African innovators, global investors, and development leaders during UNGA. Click here to register to attend
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