Lagos, Nigeria: the city from the air – Lagos island and Victoria Island separated by Five Cowrie Creek – Eko Atlantic City land reclamation – Lagos Lagoon, Gulf of Guinea, Atlantic Ocean in the backround. Getty Images Image used for illustrative purpose/Getty Images

By Brandon Moss 

Lagos, Nigeria — The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has issued a resounding message: Nigeria must move beyond its dependence on crude oil and embrace agriculture as the cornerstone of its economic transformation in the 21st century.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Fair Symposium of the Agriculture and Allied Group, held at the LCCI Conference and Exhibition Centre in Alausa, LCCI President Gabriel Idahosa—represented by Vice President Abimbola Olashore—called for a fundamental shift in how agriculture is perceived, invested in, and integrated into national development.

The symposium, themed “Agri-Business in the 21st Century: Changing the Narrative,” spotlighted the urgent need to reimagine agriculture in the face of climate change, food insecurity, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer demands. But it also celebrated the opportunities emerging from digital agriculture, biotechnology, precision farming, and climate-smart innovations.

Across the globe, agriculture is undergoing a revolution. From insecurity, supply chain disruptions, and shifting consumer demands. But it also celebrated the opportunities emerging from digital agriculture, biotechnology, precision farming, and climate-smart innovations.

Across the globe, agriculture is undergoing a revolution. From drone-monitored fields and smart irrigation systems to vertical farms in urban centers and blockchain-powered supply chains, farming is becoming a high-tech enterprise. Young African agripreneurs are launching startups that rival tech firms in their appeal to investors.

With Nigeria’s population expected to surpass 400 million by 2050, the stakes are high. Agriculture already contributes over 25% to the country’s GDP and employs roughly 35% of the labor force, according to the Bureau of Statistics. Yet, billions are still spent annually on food imports—a clear signal that the sector’s potential remains untapped.

Tunde Banjoko, Chairman of the Agric and Agro Allied Group, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing LCCI’s commitment to reshaping public perception of farming. The goal: to make agriculture a modern, aspirational career path for young Nigerians.

He pointed to global models where agribusiness is taught as a hub of innovation and opportunity. In these contexts, farming is no longer associated with hardship or stigma. Instead, it’s powered by information technology, mechanization, and precision tools—allowing farmers to operate with efficiency, sophistication, and pride.

As Nigeria looks to diversify its economy and empower its youth, agriculture stands out as the most strategic pathway forward. The message from LCCI is clear: the future of Nigeria’s prosperity lies not in oil wells, but in fertile fields and bold ideas