The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, Moses Essien, has emphasized that an agribusiness revolution is vital to reviving Nigeria’s struggling economy. He made the call for communities and stakeholders across the country to shift from smallholder farming to commercial agribusiness for sustainable economic growth.

Speaking at the 4th Agribusiness Roundtable International Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, organized by the Nigeria Agribusiness and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI), Essien highlighted that a resilient agribusiness system can withstand global challenges while creating jobs, boosting trade, and diversifying Nigeria’s revenue base. The conference carried the theme, “Resilient Agribusiness: A Sustainable Solution for a Changing World.”

Essien, who represents the Ibiono Ibom State Constituency, identified mechanization, agro-processing, value addition, and access to finance as key enablers for growth in the sector. He stressed that agribusiness has the potential to stimulate expansion in related industries, including manufacturing, logistics, finance, and technology.

“As lawmakers, we remain committed to supporting agricultural transformation through enabling legislation, rural infrastructure development, agricultural financing frameworks, and private sector partnerships,” he stated. He urged participants to ensure that the ideas discussed at the conference lead to tangible collaborations and measurable outcomes that can enhance Nigeria’s global competitiveness in agribusiness.

Essien also commended NAADI for its consistency in promoting agribusiness development and called for continuous engagement between policymakers, investors, and farmers to achieve a sustainable agricultural transformation in Nigeria.