[quote author=Lanrelagboi post=136520332]The Lagos State Government has declared Wednesday, August 20, 2025, a public holiday in honour of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Day.
With over three million residents expected to participate, this year’s edition promises to be one of the largest cultural gatherings in Nigeria’s history.
Nastrademus: I'm an indigene of Araromi Oke, the name was changed to imesi-ile, located in present day Obokun local government area of osun state, Araromi is a part of imesi-ile
That's interesting to know. So, historicaly the Araromi-Oke village has now been subsumed into the rest of the hilly Imesi-Ile which is an Ijesa town located near Ekiti State.
What made them decide to merge with the famous Imesi-Ile? (Imesi-Ile among other contiguous towns played a role in the 16-year long Ekiti Parapo War in the late 1800s which involved the Ijesas and Ekiti armies on one hand and Ibadan army on the other hand).
It's time for you folks to contact the media so that they know you are now part of Imesi-Ile and to ensure that they do NOT keep spreading falsehoods and the urban legend that Ogun or some other deity made you folks to leave and more. Reading the wild speculations in that online article got me really pissed off! Some irresponsible waste a lot of precious time engaging in banal discussions and simply enjoy spreading FALSE rumors.
TouchNfollow: Araromi-Oke: The Yoruba village that disappeared without a trace in 1957
Sixty-eight years ago, the quiet farming community disappeared completely. The town was not destroyed or attacked; it was simply emptied, as if its people had walked out of existence.
Some stories are so strange they sound like folklore, and the tale of Araromi-Oke, a once-thriving Yoruba settlement between today’s Oyo, Osun, and Ekiti boundaries, is one such mystery.
Sixty-eight years ago, the quiet farming community disappeared completely. The town was not destroyed or attacked; it was simply emptied, as if its people had walked out of existence. When neighbouring villagers went to check on them, they were greeted with an eerie silence.
The people of Araromi-Oke had simply vanished. Unconfirmed reports claimed that food was still cooked on the firewood, palm wine was fresh in calabashes, and even clothes were left drying on lines, yet not a single human soul was there. There were no bodies, no blood and no tracks of mass migration. There were also no records of disease or famine.
What Happened to Araromi-Oke? Sixty decades and more later, and no single explanation has ever satisfied the question: where did the people go?
1. The Curse of the Deity Some Yoruba elders believe the villagers broke an ancient covenant with Ogun, the god of iron and war, who hunters and blacksmiths worshipped. Araromi-Oke was known for its hunters who paid homage to Ogun with rituals. The story goes that a sacred law was broken, and in anger, the deity swallowed the entire town.
2. The Land Reclaimed Its People Another legend whispers that the land itself was cursed, that Araromi-Oke was built on forbidden ground. In Yoruba cosmology, land can both give life and take it back. The mystery of the sudden disappearance all points to the fact that it was as though the earth had simply opened up and taken them.
3. Migration Some sceptics argue that the story is exaggerated, that perhaps the villagers migrated due to political pressures during late colonial rule or due to economic hardship. Yet, if that were true, where are the records? Why was nothing documented by the British administration that kept meticulous files on even minor village relocations?
Fact Check: Did Araromi-Oke Village Really Disappear Overnight in 1957? Araromi-Oke: The Yoruba village that disappeared without a trace in 1957 For years, Nigerians have shared this chilling story that in 1957, the Yoruba village of Araromi-Oke mysteriously vanished. The tale is often told with vivid detail, but let’s separate fact from folklore.
No Historical Records There is no verified documentation in government archives, scholarly research, or credible media confirming such an event. Colonial records from the 1950s that would often detail even minor village relocations make no mention of a mass disappearance.
Oral Tradition What exists are oral stories, often retold in folkloric fashion across Yoruba communities. These narratives carry cultural and symbolic weight, even if not a literal fact. And in recent years, the story has spread widely online through mystery posts, and many versions borrow the same dramatic details, making the tale more viral but not more verifiable.
Name Confusion Multiple Yoruba towns share the name Araromi or variations like Araromi Oke-Odo, Araromi Owu, or Araromi Obu. This raises the possibility that memories of different places or events were blended into one “vanishing village” myth.
This story is believable because Yoruba oral storytelling is rich in myth and morality tales, and a story about an entire village disappearing could symbolise divine punishment, broken covenants, or the sacredness of land. Furthermore, similar legends exist worldwide: the Roanoke Colony in America and the Angikuni Lake legend in Canada describe entire settlements vanishing without trace. These parallels give the Araromi-Oke tale a sense of possibility.
Descriptions like “food still on the fire” or “a lone goat left behind” make the tale compelling. These are common in folklore. These small, relatable details anchor imagination, even without evidence. But the verdict is that there is no credible evidence that a Yoruba town named Araromi-Oke vanished overnight in 1957.
A poster here on this same thread right on page 1 said he is from that Araromi village which is NOW part of Imesi-Ile in Osun State. Imesi-Ile shares boundaries with Ekiti State.
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That Jeju Air Flight 2216 Plane Crash could have been avoided if the concrete barrier at the end of the runway wasn't there. A terrible airport design error it was.
Unbelievable Aviation Moments Caught on Camera - Terrifying Plane Crashes You Must See to Believe
Witness some of the most terrifying real-life plane crashes ever captured on camera. From catastrophic engine failures to shocking mid-air collisions, this compilation reveals just how quickly disaster can strike in the sky.
All footage shown is for educational and documentary purposes, highlighting the importance of aviation safety and pilot skill.
🎥 Real incidents – No simulations.
Incredible Aviation Moments Videos:
00:00 00:16 intro 00:17-00:30 Jeju Air Flight 2216 Plane Crash 00:31-00:37 Fire Plane Crash 00:38-00:54 1994 Fairchild Air Force Base B-52 crash 00:55-01:08 2010 Alaska USAF C-17 Globemaster 3 crash
01:09 24:57 General Plane Crashes 24:58-25:18 Outro
In 1929: Women War, the women of Ikot Abasi made history when they rose against colonial taxation, challenging both British authority and the local warrant chiefs enforcing it. Sola Sobowale and Ireti Doyle play Mama Miroba and Adiaha Edem, respectively, the main characters. The film raptly captures the grit that fueled the popularly acclaimed women’s war in 1929.
Through gripping performances and in-depth detail, the movie turns a forgotten uprising into a moving reminder of the power of collective resistance. 1929: Women War is a very important story that shines a light on a crucial but often overlooked chapter in Nigerian history.
It's impressive that the story of the brave women of Ikot Abasi is officially In movie format. Ikot Abasi is where the protests all began against the high taxes and the British Colonialists in 1929 NOT Aba as WRONGLY claimed due to the fact that the Colonialists tried to hide the shootings to death of the women protesters.
Hilarious... The big man mountain in seat 17 had to come over to retrain him on the flight, practically grabbing him sat him down like he was a kid... .
The unruly passenger was met on arrival at LAX by the police and FBI and now he's facing charges.
An unruly passenger who yelled racist slurs during a flight to Los Angeles was restrained by a fellow passenger. The flight from Virginia to L.A. had to be diverted to Colorado.
WizardOfNG: This is because people like you put everything on leaders and the Governemnt while absolving Nigerian adults of responsibility even as they revel in doing wrong things every adult should know comes with negative personal repercussion.
As the Hausa man below says, 3:24 time stamp into the video, it is "Haram" to bring children into the world you cannot cater for.
I am not here to hold brief for the government but the obligation of nation building falls on leaders and followers. Government and the people also.
Is irresponsibly swelling the population of Nigeria to 500 million people by 2070, with majority of that population unproductive, the way to build a developing Country with serious economic challenges and an undiversified economy? We need to look at ourselves in the mirror.
AmazingGenius: Throughout Africa, the cost of fuel is one of the most powerful influences determining everyday living and economic reality. When petrol costs rise, it has an immediate and far-reaching impact on consumers, companies, and governments alike.
• Business Insider Africa presents the 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in August 2025.
• This list is courtesy of GlobalPetrolPrices.
• CAR ranks number 1 on the list.
High fuel costs increase transportation costs, making it more expensive to move people and products.
Because most agricultural goods require long-distance transportation, households will face greater commute expenses and higher food prices.
Rising fuel prices raise production costs for businesses, particularly those in transportation, farming, and manufacturing, and frequently drive enterprises to pass the burden on to consumers, resulting in an inflationary spiral.
The social ramifications are as disturbing. In remote locations with no public transportation, high gasoline prices isolate residents, making it difficult to access healthcare, markets, and schools.
Workers in cities are spending an increasing percentage of their pay merely to travel to work, reducing disposable income and exacerbating poverty.
On a macroeconomic level, high gasoline prices exacerbate inflationary pressures, limit buying power, and may spark discontent.
Several African nations have experienced protests in recent years as residents oppose fuel price increases, which are frequently tied to subsidy cuts or currency devaluation.
The strain on governments is also significant, as they must strike a balance between keeping gasoline inexpensive and managing the economic burden of subsidies or costly imports.
Ultimately, fuel is a lifeline. When its price rises too high, it exacerbates inequality, inhibits economic progress, and threatens stability. For Africa, where transportation and energy are critical to development, finding ways to keep gasoline inexpensive, through refining capacity, alternative energy, and efficient distribution, is not just an economic but also a social imperative.
With that said, here are the African countries with the highest fuel prices currently, as per Global Petrolprices, which currently has the global average price of petrol $1.29, same as last month.
Compared to last month, fuel prices for the Central African Republic, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Uganda, and Morocco all saw a reduction
For Kenya and Malawi, fuel prices increased slightly, while the fuel price for Zimbabwe.
MrCover: The Nigerian government has closed down about 13,597,057 social media accounts.
The accounts were removed for offensive content and violations of the code of practice by users of social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X.
This was disclosed in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report submitted to the government by promoters of interactive computer service platforms such as Google, Microsoft, and TikTok, among others.
The Code of Practice was issued jointly by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, and the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC.
The 2024 report is titled ‘Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report Highlights Social Media Platforms’ Efforts on Online Harm Protection’.
A statement released on Wednesday by the spokesperson for NITDA, Hadiza Umar, said a total of 58,909,112 offensive contents were taken down from various platforms.
The government agency commended Google, Microsoft and TikTok for their continued compliance with the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries and also noted that 754,629 registered complaints were received.
The NITDA spokesperson added that 420,439 pieces of content were removed and re-uploaded following appeals by users.
“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines.
“The submission of these reports marks a significant step towards fostering a safer and responsible digital environment for Nigerian users.
etokhana: Nigeria’s booth at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) was empty on Wednesday, the opening day of the 3-day conference, sparking online outrage.
The development followed a viral post by Idris Bello, co-founder of The Wennovation Hub and one of Africa’s leading angel investors and startup advisors, showing that the country’s booth was unmanned.
The claim prompted backlash, with Nigerians questioning official preparedness at a conference meant to attract partners and investment.
Mr Bello said he was “ashamed” to find the booth empty and stepped in to engage visitors and potential investors, providing insights into different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
“I hate to show negative things about Nigeria but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan. Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan.
“Only God knows how many Japanese folks have asked me about the unmanned booth seeing my dressing. So ashamed I have now designated myself as Honorary Consul and taken over the booth to engage visitors,” he wrote.
The tweet caused ripples and outrage as other participants at the conference backed him and volunteered to help.
“Had an interesting time manning the Nigeria booth today with Idris,” Ola Brown, another participant, posted on X.
“Unfortunately, the booth was left unstaffed by the Nigerian public sector team, but we still had engaging conversations with academics, private business owners, and NGOs who asked great questions.”
David Brown, another Nigerian professional at the summit, also weighed in.
“We are on the ground to support our dear country,” he tweeted.
“But this is so disappointing, more so that the Japanese are so eager to do business with us, but we prioritise vibes!! Anyway, we are on the ground in Japan.”
The development drew scathing criticisms online.
One user, GWG, wrote: “Nigeria as a country is bedevilled by chronic nepotism and patronage,” arguing that appointments are often based on connections rather than merit. Another, Kenykore, said: “This is the same conference the president is supposed to be attending and they couldn’t even ensure at least one rep is there.”
User BYKX4 added: “The wrong set of people are sent to represent Nigeria at such fairs,” lamenting what he described as a lack of interest in marketing the country abroad.
The timing intensified scrutiny, as President Bola Tinubu had arrived in Japan on 18 August, two days before the summit opened.
“Nigeria is open for business and ready for partnership,” Mr Tinubu said on arrival at Haneda International Airport at about 12:55 a.m. local time, where he was received by Hideo Matsubara, Japan’s ambassador in charge of TICAD.
“This visit is not only about participation in an important summit, but about building stronger bridges between our nations.”
The Presidency described the trip, Mr Tinubu’s first official visit to Japan since taking office on 29 May 2023, as “a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to expand trade relations with Asia, while pursuing sustainable growth and industrialisation at home.”
About TICAD 9 TICAD 9 is being held in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, from 20 to 22 August. Launched by the Japanese government in 1993 and co-hosted by the United Nations, the UN Development Programme, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission, the forum provides a platform for high-level dialogue on African development.
The agenda focuses on African-led growth, international cooperation, and sustainable investment.
NIGERIA’S PARTICIPATION AT TICAD 9: FOCUSING ON STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENTS, NOT TRADE EXPOS
The trending social media narrative about an empty booth labelled 'NIGERIA' at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, totally misrepresented our country's mission and activities at the conference.
While we understand the urge by many social media users to seek clicks with many incorrect posts, we also recognise that the author may have acted out of patriotic concern. But it is a concern inspired by ignorance about Nigeria’s mission at the triennial conference.
The Nigerian delegation to the summit, led by President Bola Tinubu, is laser-focused on its core objectives of achieving tangible outcomes from the scheduled lineup of bilateral and multilateral engagements targeted at driving optimum performance in key sectors of the economy, especially in power, industry and agriculture.
The Nigerian official delegation working with Corporate Nigeria, represented by some of our leading business leaders, didn't come to Yokohama and Tokyo to attend any Trade Expo, designed as an open forum for participating nations.
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) is scheduled to host an investment forum on Thursday, August 21, 2025
The Nigerian ministers are busy with bilateral sideline discussions. At the same time, President Tinubu will lead meetings with the executives of Toyota Corporation, CFAO, UN-Habitat, UNDP, and the International Finance Corporation. The delegation’s schedule does not include participation in an open forum trade exhibition.
Specifically, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is leading the pre-activation meeting to execute several power projects in Nigeria that are being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). One of the projects is the Lagos-Ogun Power Transmission System Improvement, which is designed to improve the wheeling capacity and grid stability and enable the connection of industrial customers on the corridor. There is also the partnership between the National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN) and JICA to enhance Vocational Training Delivery for the power sector. The third power project is the Distributed Access Through Renewable Energy Scale-up, for which $190 million has been provided.
The Minister of Power is scheduled to negotiate with notable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as TOSHIBA and HITACHI.
The Bank of Industry, led by its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Dr. Supo Olusi, is also in high-level discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and other participating multilateral institutions for its annual global fund syndication.
Social media posts are often sensational and do not tell complete stories, just as the trending video does not capture Nigeria's participation at TICAD 9. Our country is fully and well represented and part of the essential conversations and negotiations that are going on at TICAD9.
The United States has approved the sale of precision-guided weapons and ammunition to Nigeria to strengthen its counter-terrorism operations against insurgent and extremist groups. #nigeria #usa #wion
Kirkman: You do know your car stuff. Keep it up. You are right. The actual credit goes to the designers themselves. The automakers just sign off on the designs.
MaryJane24: Why was this car named Canguro? This is the 1964 Alfa Romeo Canguro concept car. Canguro is Italian for Kangaroo. Why? Why Kangaroo? I can't seem to find an answer. Do you know?
franchasng: My dear brother, don't argue with an expert.
I am a trained Mechanical engineer who later majored in automotive.
I have worked as a big company mechanic and later rose to fleet supervisor then manager.
I have special interest in vehicle speed control and fuel efficiency, and I have undergone different trainings on these fields, so when I speak, I speak with absolute authority you can take to bank anywhere in the world.
That being said, you are right that catalytic converters are primarily known for their role in reducing harmful emissions, they also have a significant influence on a vehicle's overall fuel economy. Cars with their factory fitted (followcome) catalyst don't consume as much petrol as those that have no catalyst.
On the O2 sensor, hear this, the oxygen sensor in a vehicle affects how much fuel your vehicle's engine burns. You maybe wondering how? I will explain below.
Oxygen sensor helps to measure oxygen level in your vehicle's exhaust. So by measuring the oxygen levels in the exhaust, the O2 sensor helps to ensure your vehicle meters (calculates) and delivers the correct amount of fuel depending on the demands you place on the engine.
If you are in doubt, consult a trained and experienced automobile technician to confirm my words.
As person don grow pass the level of entering the service pit or going under vehicles doesn't mean we don't forget our root/foundation
Chilipepper: Car lovers and drivers, Which Version Is The Strongest?
The transition in the Toyota Corolla interior and exterior designs over the years is a true testament to the unlimited powers of the human imagination.
I drive an impressive Toyota Camry XSE (Sport) as one of my current collection of cars though.
richardwise143: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This innovative therapy has gained recognition for its ability to accelerate healing and improve various medical conditions. By increasing the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood, HBOT enhances the body's natural healing processes, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. Let's explore the wonders of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and delve into its remarkable benefits.
Understanding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy involves placing the patient in a chamber where the atmospheric pressure is higher than normal. The pressure is typically increased to 1.5 to 3 times higher than sea level pressure. During the treatment, the patient breathes 100% pure oxygen, which allows the lungs to take in a significantly higher amount of oxygen compared to normal atmospheric pressure. This concentrated oxygen supply enables greater oxygen saturation in the blood, leading to a host of therapeutic effects.
The Healing Potential of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Enhanced Oxygen Delivery: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy maximizes the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood plasma, promoting oxygen delivery to organs, tissues, and cells throughout the body. This increased oxygen supply stimulates cellular metabolism, facilitating tissue repair and regeneration.
Accelerated Wound Healing: HBOT stimulates the production of collagen, a crucial protein for wound healing. By promoting collagen synthesis, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy helps speed up the healing process for various wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers, burns, and non-healing surgical incisions.
Reduced Inflammation: HBOT has anti-inflammatory effects that can benefit conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, radiation-induced tissue damage, and neuroinflammation. By decreasing inflammation, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy alleviates symptoms and promotes healing.
Treatment of Decompression Sickness: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a vital treatment for decompression sickness, also known as "the bends." This condition occurs when divers surface too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the bloodstream. By increasing pressure and oxygen levels, HBOT helps dissolve these bubbles and restores normal blood circulation.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy harnesses the power of increased atmospheric pressure and pure oxygen to unlock the body's remarkable healing potential. By enhancing oxygen delivery, accelerating wound healing, reducing inflammation, and treating decompression sickness, this therapy offers a wide range of benefits for patients with diverse medical conditions. As research continues to expand, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy holds the promise of further discoveries and advancements in the field of medical science. With its ability to tap into the body's natural healing abilities, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provides an exciting avenue for enhancing patient well-being and improving medical outcomes.
Bump.
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy harnesses the power of increased atmospheric pressure and pure oxygen to unlock the body's remarkable healing potential. By enhancing oxygen delivery, accelerating wound healing, reducing inflammation, and treating decompression sickness, this therapy offers a wide range of benefits for patients with diverse medical conditions. As research continues to expand, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy holds the promise of further discoveries and advancements in the field of medical science. With its ability to tap into the body's natural healing abilities, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy provides an exciting avenue for enhancing patient well-being and improving medical outcomes.
TimeManager: This is part of the N500b Food For Lagos initiative. There's a Lagos farm in Niger which would run the course. Gov Bago is very underrated, he is a top 3 best performing Governor. There's no regrets voting Gov Sanwo Olu the second time.
-Kiss the truth!
That's impressive.
Niger State has the biggest landmass in Nigeria while Lagos State has the smallest landmass. It's a brilliant tag-team project for sustainable agribusiness and Governor Umar Bago is a brilliant Nupe dude who is forward-looking, so things will pan out smoothly down the road with the project.
Lagos State must also look at investing in Oyo State being the State with the largest landmass in the South of Nigeria for further smart agribusiness partnerships. This doesn't prevent Oyo State from expanding on its own already existing smart agribusiness projects targeted at the Lagos food ecosystem as well.
The immediate focus for Lagos State as revealed in May 2025 by the dynamic first ever female Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya is to crash the cost of food to 50% of the current cost and Lagos State is indeed walking the talk with the recent launch of 150 CNG-fueled 40ft haulage trucks in the last week of July 2025 under the "Produce for Lagos" program to cut off those insidious middle men and food hoarders.
The other State Governors of Nigeria have a duty to crash the price of food in their States using the cheaper CNG-fueled vehicles and more because it's totally within their purview to engage in sustainable agribusiness. Period.
TimeManager: To boost food production in the country’s most populated but tiniest state by landmass, Niger State Governor Umar Bago yesterday donated 100,000 hectares of land to Lagos State for agricultural development.
The governor made the announcement at the FirstBank Nigeria-sponsored Agric & Export Expo 2025, held in Lagos.
The Federal Government has unveiled a renewed push for agricultural growth, with emphasis on boosting food production for both local consumption and exports.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, represented by his Special Adviser, Ibrahim Alkali, laid out a bold vision to transform Nigerian agriculture from a subsistence-based sector into a global export powerhouse.
A tonne of raw produce brings income, but tonnes of processed produce build industries, create jobs, and earn foreign exchange,” Kyari said.
Using cocoa as an example, he noted that while Nigeria earns about $700 million annually from raw cocoa exports, processing could multiply that value three- to five-fold.
Obstacles and Opportunities
The minister acknowledged that agricultural transformation cannot be achieved without strong infrastructure.
He cited the exorbitant cost of domestic transport and the frequent rejection of Nigerian goods abroad due to poor certification.
“It often costs more to move a container from Ghana to Lagos than from Lagos to Europe,” he lamented.
He called for the adoption of a zero-reject policy, from farm to port, and the establishment of accredited laboratories and certification systems to meet global standards.
Citing global examples, Kyari pointed to Brazil, which earned $125 billion in agricultural exports in 2021, and Kenya, where innovative financial models have made agriculture the country’s third-largest foreign exchange earner.
Kyari also emphasised Nigeria’s youth advantage, noting that over 70 per cent of the population is under 30.
Between 2020 and 2022, African youth-led agri-tech startups attracted $640 million in investment, evidence that Nigerian youths are already building the future of agriculture
Lagos pushes for diversification
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the private sector to partner with the government in urgently diversifying the economy away from oil.
He described the expo as a “visionary platform” for building an agriculture-driven future.
Citing volatility in global oil prices, foreign exchange instability, and rising import costs, he stressed:
“Nigeria must urgently broaden its economic base. The global marketplace is not waiting for us.”
Sanwo-Olu commended President Bola Tinubu’s policies, which he said have spurred steady growth in non-oil exports.
He cited data from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) showing that non-oil exports rose 19.59 per cent in the first half of 2025 to $3.225 billion, up from $2.696 billion in the same period of 2024.
He added that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, has a “special responsibility” in the transformation agenda.
The governor highlighted major projects funded through a $1.35 billion partnership with Afreximbank and Access Bank, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Lekki-Epe International Airport.
The state, he said, has also launched a N500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund to support food security and agricultural productivity.
Niger’s role
Governor Bago said Niger would serve as the production hub, while Lagos would be the consumer and logistics hub.
The proposed “Lagos Farm” project will be spread across several locations in Niger State to cultivate yams, beans, and livestock for Lagos markets.
He also pointed to huge export opportunities in the Middle East.
“The annual Hajj requires about five million sheep, each costing 500 riyals, representing a 2.5 billion riyal market in one transaction,” he revealed, adding that annual livestock demand in the region could reach 30 million.
Bago emphasised value addition across the livestock chain — from meat to hides and by-products — warning that “countries that export raw commodities remain perpetually broke.”
Bank restates commitment to agribusiness financing
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, represented by NEPC CEO Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, said the government was intensifying efforts to help exporters meet certification standards, adding that the One State One Product (OSOP) programme remains central to diversifying away from oil.
FirstBank Managing Director, Olusegun Alebiosu, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to financing agribusiness and non-oil exports.
“The expo reflects our shared vision for a stronger, more resilient economy anchored on food security, agribusiness, solid minerals, and non-oil exports,” he said.
He described agriculture as a once-overlooked sector now central to Nigeria’s development agenda, noting FirstBank’s long history of financing agribusiness across the value chain.
Niger to Halt Supply of Live Cows, Process Meat Locally, Deliver Frozen to Lagos
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has announced a transformative shift in Niger State’s livestock trade, revealing plans to stop the direct supply of live cows and goats to markets in Lagos and Ogun states.
Instead, the state will process meat locally at Mokwa and deliver frozen, packaged products to Southwest markets, aiming to enhance hygiene, reduce waste, and boost economic value for local farmers.
Speaking at the First Bank 2025 Agric and Export Expo in Lagos, Governor Bago emphasized the need for value addition in agriculture to curb economic losses from exporting raw commodities.
“We have started looking at the possibility of stopping the supply of live cows to Lagos markets. We will terminate supplies of cows and goats at Mokwa, process the meat in Niger State, and deliver frozen products to markets in Lagos and Ogun,” Bago stated.
He noted that this initiative would prevent animal waste from littering southern states and ensure farmers fully benefit from the livestock value chain.