Oil Price Crash, an opportunity for Agriculture – LCCI

first Lagos International Agricultural Fair

“The crash in the international price of oil is a pave-way for agricultural development in Nigeria”
This statement was made by the Chairman of the Agriculture group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Chief Deola Elliot at the opening ceremony of the first Lagos International Agricultural Fair organized by Lagos State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).


Elliot, who also chaired the exhibition opening at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos, emphasized the need for collaboration between government and other stakeholders with all interested groups to support farmers in order to boost their capacity as a way to ensure food security in Nigeria.

“If we are to achieve food security, then, all hands must be on deck to develop agriculture in this country” he said.

Speaking further, he said that the chamber is discussing with an arm of the United Nations to assist farmers in the areas of preservation and processing. He therefore urged the Nigerian farmers to position themselves to be part of the current agricultural transformation to better their group.

In recognizing the effort of bodies that have been on the struggle for intervention in agricultural development, awards were given out to processors, crops, livestock as well as the media, with AgroNigeria winning the award for the Best Promoter of Agricultural Development.


At the fair, Lagos farmers displayed the best of their agricultural products and produce of different kinds with emphasizing their readiness to help boost the foreign exchange revenue through Agriculture.

In her remarks, Lagos State AFAN Women Leader, Alhaja Afolake Olaide, who is into fish farming and cassava production, said “we women in Agriculture are ready to work hard and serve Nigeria with more than enough food production for Nigerians and also to help the Federal Government to boost foreign exchange revenue through Agriculture”

She further stressed the need for government to empower women farmers through loans and inputs to boost their capacity and also train them on modern and latest technological innovation in agriculture.
Coordinator, UNESCO-UNEVOC, Centre for Research and Sustainable Development, Dr. Mrs Funmilayo Doherty who was also present at the fair advised  government to monitor loans disbursed to farmers by ensuring they are used for the right purpose

“If government recognizes farmers and give their loans to the right people, we would not have to depend so much on oil anymore. Agriculture can be the main stay of Nigeria economic. So government should ensure that even the farmers in the villages benefit from all their initiatives.”

The Chairman of AFAN, Lagos State Chapter, Otunba Femi Oke, in his remark stated that the fair was the first time in the history of AFAN that the farmers would organize such platform themselves to showcase agricultural produce.

He appreciated the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, for supporting the fair and also called on other stakeholders to support the farmers’ cause especially in the areas of knowledge and training.
Also at the event, AFAN, Lagos State inaugurated its newly elected chairmen in Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state.

Speaking to the elected Chairmen, the Deputy Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Mr. Innocent Akhuemonk, advised them to serve the association with all their might.

“You should see your election as a call to service, by doing this, you will serve the association to the best of your ability” Akhuemonk said.