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By Merit Ibe
The federal government, Germany, and industry stakeholders have strengthened their collaboration to drive innovation, investment, and sustainability in Nigeria’s agriculture and packaging industries, with a shared goal of enhancing food security.
The renewed commitment was highlighted at the 10th Agrofood & PlastPrintPack Nigeria Conference and Exhibition, recently held in Lagos, where experts and policymakers convened to explore strategies for sectoral growth and resilience.
With Germany as the guest country of honour, the event brought together government officials, investors and industry leaders who explored advancements in agro-processing, food production and sustainability.
They agreed on the urgent need to address food insecurity and rising poverty levels in Nigeria.
With reports that over 30 million Nigerians are currently experiencing food insecurity, they acknowledged that Nigeria faces significant challenges related to food security and its agricultural framework.
Reports indicate that the country produces approximately 65 million tons of food each year, but 40 per cent of this is lost due to inadequate cold storage infrastructure. This loss amounts to an economic impact of approximately N3.5 trillion, equivalent to roughly $8 billion. This represents a substantial market opportunity for companies or governments looking to invest in Nigeria’s food system and potentially make significant profits.
With this, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasised the need to encourage foreign investors and key stakeholders to invest in the cold chain sector, which can be highly profitable and reap the economic benefits that abound with the public and private sectors working together to uplift the cold chain industries to international standards.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who was represented by Mrs. Omolara Abimbola-Oguntuyi, explained that the world faces unprecedented challenges, climate change, economic uncertainties, and health crises that threaten the foundations of global food systems.
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Kyari said the federal government has embarked on an ambitious and inclusive path toward food security. However, he noted that achieving this goal requires a multifaceted approach that addresses not only the availability of food but also its accessibility and nutritional quality.
The Minister affirmed that Nigeria’s strategy involves enhancing agricultural productivity through sustainable practices, improving market access for farmers, and implementing policies that support equitable resource distribution.
On his part, the Consul-General of Germany in Nigeria, Mr. Weert Borner, pointed out the challenges and difficulties Nigeria is currently facing regarding security issues, high costs, low productivity, various pests, poor logistics, and climate change among others.
The German envoy stated that the German government is ready to support agrofood in Nigeria to boost food security for the Nigerian population. He emphasised that Nigeria is one of six Sub-Saharan countries that have been on the list for intensified cooperation in agriculture for years already. “Germany- both government and private sector- is cooperating with Nigeria on political, scientific and economic agricultural issues”.
In his remarks, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, stated that with Nigeria projected to become Africa’s largest consumer market by 2050 and the largest human population, the projected data make the agrofood and plastprintpack Nigeria event vital for shaping Africa’s future, and the future of Nigeria, particularly that of Lagos State.
Sanwo-Olu attested that Lagos remains a hub for agribusiness, food processing, and manufacturing because of its strategic location, vibrant consumer market, and expanding industrial base.
Earlier in his address, Paul Marz, Managing Director of fairtrade Messe organiser, noted that the 2025 edition marks a significant milestone as fairtrade Messe GmbH celebrates the 10th anniversary of this pivotal industry gathering.
According to him, the fair has become a cornerstone for innovation, collaboration, and growth within Nigeria’s agrofood and plastprintpack sectors over the past decade. He said the exhibitors came from Austria, Bulgaria, China, Poland, Germany, France, India, Italy, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Turkiye, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
The Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Michel Deelen, noted that the Netherlands has made significant inroads in Nigeria’s agrofood sector and has remained Nigeria’s best trade partner for decades. He discussed the opportunities the Netherlands offers Nigeria to enhance its agricultural sector.
Other dignitaries at the event included Mr. Alexander Isong, President of the Organisation for Technology Advancement of Cold Chain in West Africa (OTACCWA); Francis Meshioye; and Michal Cygan, Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Poland.
