The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has inaugurated a 28-member Nigeria Agro Set-Up Committee aimed at re-invigorating broad national agricultural activities across the country.
The committee would drive the Federal Government’s plan to diversify the economy away from oil through renewed interest in the agricultural sector targeted for $250bn export earnings for Nigeria by 2040.
The committee, comprising representatives of the ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as experts from diverse professions, is expected to innovate and position country’s agricultural value-chain for improved exports.
The Permanent Secretary, FMITI, Dr. Sani-Gwarzo, in a statement on Friday, charged members to collaborate with relevant government agencies to facilitate the purchase, certification and transportation of agricultural commodities from the farms to the points of exit.
The statement read, “I want to use this opportunity to welcome the members of the Nigeria Agro Set-Up led by Captain John Okakpu of ABX World. As you are aware, the ministry has the mandate of formulating and implementing policies and programmes to attract investment, boost industrialisation, increase trade and export and develop enterprise.
“In line with the diversification agenda of the current government, the ministry is very pleased to note that the committee will serve as a reference point for coordinating activities that will fast-track the agriculture export business in Nigeria.”
Members of the committee are Mr Kabir Ibrahim, Brigadier General Kapeh Kazir, Prof. Obiora Madu (Multimix), Prof Simon Irtwange (FUAM), Prof Charles Asadu (UNN), Abdulkarim Kaita (Dangote Group), Mudiaga Okumagba (FedEx/Red Star), Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Ugbuji, Ifechukwu Anajekwu, Jane Machunga and Ogunfunmilayo Oluwole (NAQS).
