State to Showcase Cashew, Yam, Other Agricultural Potentials to Investors in Abuja
By Taiye Bayode
Kogi State is set to explore new opportunities in the international agricultural value chain as the Agriculture Agro-Wealth Development Initiative (AAWDI), in collaboration with the Kogi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KOCCIMA), has proposed the State’s participation in an international agriculture and technology exhibition scheduled to hold in Abuja in November 2026.
The proposed exhibition is designed to provide a one-stop platform for governments, farmers, investors, product owners, technology providers, value-addition experts and other key players in the agricultural ecosystem to connect, showcase products and explore investment opportunities.
The partnership proposal was presented to the Kogi State Ministry of Commerce and Industry during a meeting with representatives of AAWDI and KOCCIMA in Lokoja.
The initiative is considered consistent with the State Government’s efforts to position Kogi as a major destination for agricultural commerce, value addition, industrial development and investment.
Receiving the delegation, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Hajia Musa-Amana Sualihat, welcomed the initiative and commended the organisers for identifying the Ministry as a critical stakeholder in the development of the State’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
She assured the delegation that the Ministry would study the details of the proposed exhibition, particularly the areas of collaboration and the role expected of the State Government.
The Permanent Secretary explained that although the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, was unavoidably absent on an official assignment, the purpose of the visit and the proposal would be formally brought to his attention for consideration upon his return.
Earlier, the AAWDI State Coordinator, Okeme Jibril Abdullahi, explained that the organisation has structures across the 774 Local Government Areas, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said AAWDI was established to promote the growth and development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly by encouraging farmers and producers to move beyond primary production into value addition and commercially viable segments of the agricultural value chain.
According to him, agriculture remains one of the country’s major sources of employment, but significant economic opportunities are still being lost because many agricultural commodities are exported or traded without sufficient processing and value addition.
Abdullahi said the proposed exhibition would therefore provide a strategic platform for stakeholders to connect with investors, technology companies, value-addition specialists and knowledge partners capable of transforming agricultural production into sustainable businesses.
He specifically identified Kogi State as one of the states with enormous potential to benefit from the initiative, given its strong agricultural base and production of commodities such as cashew and yam.
He said the exhibition would enable Kogi to showcase its agricultural strengths to a wider audience while opening avenues for investment, technology transfer, value addition and improved market access for farmers and agro-processors in the State.
Representing KOCCIMA, Comrade Radjan Suleiman, who facilitated the engagement, said the visit became necessary because the national leadership of AAWDI was unable to travel to Lokoja for the engagement.
She appreciated the Ministry for receiving the delegation at short notice, stressing that KOCCIMA was committed to ensuring that Kogi State remained connected to emerging commercial, agricultural and investment opportunities.
Suleiman said the Chamber considered the proposed exhibition an opportunity for the State to project its agricultural resources, attract investors and establish stronger links with markets beyond Kogi.
Both parties expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would yield tangible benefits for the State.
The AAWDI delegation disclosed that a formal communication containing details of the exhibition, proposed areas of collaboration and the specific role expected of the Ministry would be forwarded subsequently to enable the State Government make an informed decision on its participation.
The proposed initiative also aligns with the broader economic direction of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration, particularly efforts to expand investment opportunities, strengthen agriculture and promote economic activities capable of creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
For Kogi, participation in the exhibition could provide an opportunity to move from merely being identified as a producer of agricultural commodities to becoming a more active player in the processing, branding, marketing and investment dimensions of the agricultural value chain.
