By Abdullahi Lukman
Sustainable growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector will require more than access to funding, with clear responsibilities, effective governance and proper risk allocation needed to attract long-term investment, First Trustees Limited Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ereifemi Akeredolu, has said.
Akeredolu made the remarks at the maiden Commercial Trust Colloquium organised by First Trustees, a subsidiary of FirstHoldCo Plc, in Lagos.
The event, themed “Beyond Intervention Funds: Building Sustainable Financing Models for Nigerian Agriculture,” brought together public- and private-sector stakeholders to examine alternative financing models for agriculture and ways to attract sustainable private capital.
Akeredolu said the availability of capital alone could not guarantee sustainable growth, arguing that investors were more likely to commit funds when risks were clearly identified, responsibilities were defined and transaction structures were reliable.
She said trust institutions could contribute to this process by strengthening accountability, protecting the interests of parties to transactions and ensuring compliance with agreed obligations.
The discussions examined financing options beyond government intervention funds, with participants focusing on agricultural value chains, risk management, productivity and private-sector participation.
Stakeholders also explored structures capable of attracting long-term investment to viable businesses across different segments of the agricultural value chain.
Agriculture remains important to Nigeria’s food supply, employment and industrial activities, but businesses in the sector continue to face challenges in accessing sustainable financing.
The colloquium also featured the unveiling of an upgraded digital platform by First Trustees.
The company said the platform would digitise some of its trust-service processes while reducing paperwork and documentation requirements.
