Agriculture
‘Nigeria Must Move Forward In Export Biz’
The Customs Area Control
ler, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, Comptroller Benjamin Aber, has urged Nigerians to be more serious with exportation of goods to replenish the country’s dwindling foreign reserves.
The comptroller made the plea at a meeting on the Nigerian Export Trade Hub (NETH), hosted by the Customs command.
He suggested that Nigeria needed to be focused on exportation in order to get out of the current economic recession
Aber had in the last eight months been organizing several meetings geared toward reviving the Kirikiri Terminal.
He said that agriculture could sustain Nigeria if vigorously pursued.
“It is time Nigeria moves forward in its export business. We need to move Nigeria forward away from reliance on oil.
“Agriculture can sustain this country.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is now in the forefront that export business should be done in such a way that it earns foreign exchange for the country,” the comptroller was quoted as saying.
Comptroller Aber said that all federal regulatory agencies would be linked to the NETH, adding that doing business through the Hub would be easy.
NETH was launched on August 2016 by critical stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), National Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC); and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
It is aimed not only to earn foreign exchange for the country but to also create a trade balance.
The exportable commodities are to be warehoused in Aulic Container Bonded Terminal in the Trade Fair Complex, Lagos.
According to the Coordinator of the Hub, Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Frank Ezeh, NETH gives investors the opportunity to bring in their goods, have easy access to exporting them out of the country.
“This is to also guide against the ban or black listing of Nigerian exports to Europe and the world over.
“With this, the country’s balance of trade will be improved upon,” Ezeh said.
The Chief Executive Officer of Aulic Container Bonded Terminal, Prof. Nick Ezeh, who doubles as the Chairman of the Infrastructure and Business Committee of NETH, said that the terminal has a standard police station.
According to him, there is also an export hall measuring 11,000 square metres, fire service station and a medical clinic.
Ezeh said that with the10-lane road project of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Nigeria, “the terminal is a place to be”.
Corroborating Comptroller Aber’s position on government agencies in the terminal, Ezeh said there were buildings that would accommodate all government agencies in separate offices.
He called on government’s representatives at the meeting to turn in their requirements and how they want their offices to look like.
A representative of NACCIMA, Chief Wale Adegboye said that the Hub would add more value to the exportation of goods in Nigeria and “will bring back the confidence of exporters in Nigeria”.
He lauded the resilience of Comptroller Aber in bringing the needed change with his expertise.
Adegboye promised that the Chamber would support the Hub.
An official of the NEPC, Mrs Mary Ikejiofor, also said that the NEC would support the Hub.
She said, “NETH is a one-stop window that will aid exporters in the exportation of their goods.”
Ikejiafor advised all government agencies to link up to the Hub as it would guide against exportation of bad products.
Already, there will be a data base and documentation management system in the Hub that will aid exportation of goods within 24 hours after a logging in and payment is made to the necessary agency.
Also a warehouse warrant is to be issued by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, (NSE), as the data in the Hub is accessible all round the clock and seamlessly linked to the NEPC.
The data could not be destroyed by fire.
The portal also spotted bad products which will not be allowed to go out as such products would not be certified.
“The Hub also helps the exporter identify potential market and distribution channels of his products and provides fast access to financing.
This the farmers attributed to inadequate pest control facilities, lack of in-depth managerial skills, crisis, Climate control and other factors.
These were the observations of the farmers during the training of 6000 Cassava farmers and facility tour both at Fashola Agribusiness hub and Iseyin.
The training was coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology (AATF) Foundation and National Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia state, funded by Germany based Foundation.
The project coordinator of AATF, Samuel Ogunleye said the training has benefited the farmers immensely.
According to him, ‘the training is designed to benefit 6,000 Cocoa farmers in the 33 local government areas of the state.
‘The programme was incubated in 2023 but inaugurated in 2024. The programme has taken place in Ido and Ibarapa areas with the training of over 1,200 farmers.
‘Today similar programme is taking place here in Iseyin with over 2,000 farmers in attendance.
Farmers are being trained on how to increase their output as well gets it to the market through modern technology.
‘In Iseyin, there is a modern Cassava processor machine aimed at easing the processes.
‘The local farmers have access to the processor at a subsidize rate. Also, the foundation is assisting them at getting their products to the market”.
In his own presentation, the team leader, National Root Crops Research Institute, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede said the training was designed to address the decline in the
production of Cassava nationwide.
He said: ‘The training is designed for the off season in order to allow active participation of farmers.
‘Some of the challenges confronting the farmers are tabled while the solutions are proffered.
On the issue of funding, the University don blamed successive administrations in the Country for paying lip service to the sector.
According to him, the Research Institutes in the Country have not been able to access the Budget in the past five years.
The researchers are using their personal contacts to access funds from local and international organization to carry out research.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State Chapter, has lauded the Federal Government’s approval of 57 crop varieties to strengthen agricultural productivity in the country.
The Lagos State AFAN Chairman, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, Wednesday in Lagos.
Reports said that in March 2026, the Federal Government approved 57 new improved crop varieties to boost food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen agricultural productivity.
The crops, selected for early maturity, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases, include 14 different types of staples, with notable advancements in rice, maize, yam, soybean, and plantain.
Agbayewa noted the approval of the crop varieties would help improve the yields of farmers in the state.
“We are excited to hear about the 57 new varieties of crops recently approved.
“What we desire currently in crop farming is not just about planting, it is about increased yield.
“A farmer can have a plot of land and have a high yield and another can have big plots of land and have a low yield.
“So, if when are talking about food security, it starts from the varieties you are planting and it starts from the seedlings”, Agbayewa said.
He described the introduction of the crops as a new development for crop cultivation.
“This newly approved 57 crop varieties should however be popularised among local farmers because not everyone is aware of this latest development.
“There are lots of issues currently affecting the cultivation of crops and the development of improved crop varieties will help the farmer’s productivity.
“Issues such as climate change effects, inconsistent rainfall patterns and weather clash among others are affecting farmers’ yield,” he said.
Agbayewa said there should be massive advocacy of the approved crop varieties across the board for farmers, adding, “The government is now waking up to their responsibility. So, we are”
The event, with the theme “Aligning Science, Enterprise, and Policy to Scale Insect-based Feed Solutions,” brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators, private investors, and BSFL farming entrepreneurs to map out strategies for integrating insect protein into Nigeria’s agricultural system.
According to him, black soldier fly larvae can feed on organic waste including market and kitchen refuse and develop into high-protein feed within 10 to 14 days.
“It contains about 40 to 45 per cent protein, making it a viable alternative to some protein source feed ingredients in poultry, fish, and pig feed ration if produced sustainably” he said.
Amole noted growing interest from feed manufacturers, stressing that supply, not demand remains the major constraint
“The question now is who can produce at commercial scale,” he added.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s comparative advantage, citing its tropical climate and abundant organic waste, which support year-round production without the need for expensive temperature control systems.
He however emphasised the need for standardisation to ensure consistency in nutrient quality and safety across producers.
Also speaking, a Senior Scaling and Innovation Expert from the institutes ‘headquarters in Nairobi, Dr. Ijudai Jasada, identified fragmentation within the BSFL value chain as a major barrier to scale.
“We need a coordinated system that connects all actors and reduces inefficiencies,” he said.
Stakeholders at the Roundtable reached a consensus that ILRI should take the lead in establishing and championing a national platform on BSFL.
Jasada said plans are underway to establish a national coordination platform to improve collaboration, attract investment, and support long-term growth of the sector.
He said the goal is to integrate insect-based feed into Nigeria’s mainstream feed industry by 2030, while creating employment opportunities for women and youth.
On capacity development, Prof. Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University acknowledged ongoing training efforts by development partners and institutions but warned that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for insect-based feed remains underdeveloped.
She noted that standards are still evolving and are expected to align with benchmarks being developed by the African Organisation for Standardisation.
Similarly, Prof. Olugbenga Adeniran Ogunwole stressed the importance of safety assurance and regulatory clarity, warning that policy gaps could hinder large-scale adoption.
He identified key challenges, including variability in nutrient composition, digestibility concerns linked to chitin content, and relatively high production costs.
A BSFL producer, Mr. Kolawole Ogunleye, said large-scale production remains difficult due to limited access to equipment, financing, and infrastructure, adding, “The process is labour-intensive, and most of the equipment is still imported,” he said.
From the private sector, Mr. John Amole, Country Representative of New Generation Nutrition (NGN), described insect protein as a growing but still underutilised solution in Nigeria.
He noted that although insect meal has been approved as a feed ingredient, it has yet to gain widespread market acceptance.
“There is interest, but the ecosystem is still developing, and there are no guaranteed off-takers,” he said.
Sharing international experience, Ms Talash Huijbers of InsectiPro, Kenya, highlighted the success of circular economy models that convert organic waste into protein and fertiliser.
The roundtable concluded with key recommendations, including the establishment of a clear legal framework for insect-based feed, financial incentives for startups, standardised substrates, integration into national waste management systems, and increased funding for research and extension services.