The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s food security through sustained mechanisation and technological innovation, declaring that the nation’s agricultural future must be anchored on efficiency and self-reliance.
President of the Chamber, Chief Emeka Obegolu, made this known in Abuja during a press briefing to announce the second edition of the Farm, Food and Allied Technologies Expo (FARMFATECH) 2025, scheduled to hold from November 10 to 12 at the Velodrome, Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Speaking through the Director-General of ACCI, Mr. Agabaidu Jideani, Obegolu said the expo will serve as a platform to showcase mechanised solutions, attract investments, and promote technology-driven growth across the agricultural value chain.
He explained that Nigeria is yet to attain full food sufficiency but noted that mechanisation remains the most viable path toward sustainable productivity and food sovereignty. “We don’t have food security yet, but we are moving towards it,” he said.
According to him, large-scale production made possible through mechanisation can transform output levels, enabling farmers to achieve in hours what previously took days of manual labour. He stressed that the Chamber’s priority is to drive such transformation through innovation and partnership.
However, Obegolu pointed out that mechanisation has the capacity to mitigate some of the security and labour challenges facing the sector. “We are aware of the security concerns that make farming difficult in some areas. Mechanisation helps fill that gap by allowing production to continue efficiently and safely,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria must rekindle the spirit of the Food First Philosophy introduced under the Babangida administration, urging that food production be treated once again as a national emergency.
However, beyond increasing yields, Obegolu expressed concern over the country’s alarming rate of child malnutrition, emphasising that millions of children suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition. “We must produce food first,” he said. “Nigeria ranks among the highest globally in child stunting, and that must change.”
He lauded the Federal Government’s restructuring of the agricultural sector into agriculture and livestock development, noting that the renewed focus on milk, eggs, and other protein-rich foods aligns with efforts to tackle nutritional deficiencies.
In the same vein, Obegolu stated that the Chamber’s vision extends beyond food security to food sovereignty — a stage where Nigeria becomes independent in agricultural production and input supply. “We must reach a point where we no longer depend on external sources for seeds and other critical inputs. Food sovereignty is our goal, and though we are not there yet, we are making steady progress,” he affirmed.
Also speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Autodex Nigeria Ltd, Prince Tony Ifeakandu, said his company is driving innovation in Nigeria’s mechanisation ecosystem through the development of hybrid combustion and electric vehicles, including tricycles, motorbikes, and utility vehicles.
He explained that these innovations are supported by a growing network of charging and battery-swap stations designed to enhance field-to-market logistics and strengthen the agricultural backbone. “Our role is to empower farmers with efficient machinery and clean-energy mobility solutions that reduce costs, improve yields, and accelerate market access,” he noted.
According to him, the future of Nigeria’s agriculture lies in innovation, sustainability, and efficient energy use. “We want farmers to produce more, move faster, and earn better. A food-secure Nigeria must be powered by innovation,” he concluded.
With FARMFATECH 2025, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its partners say their mission is clear — to strengthen food production through technology, stimulate investment, and position Nigeria firmly on the path to food sovereignty.
